Chronicle Editor
Sunday News Reporter
A family’s struggle has intensified in the wake of increasing political tensions in Zimbabwe, as Victor Kufakwedeke and his wife, Josefine Sibanda, have become targets due to their support for the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).
Relatives have expressed deep concern over Victor’s recent disappearance following a violent incident that unfolded at the burial of fellow CCC supporter Travis Tapfumanei Tazvitadza.
According to a family member, Victor attended the burial, which was attended by hundreds of CCC supporters, leading to heightened tensions with Zanu-PF followers.
“Victor was seen as one of the organizers of the burial,” the relative explained. “This angered Zanu-PF supporters, and they clashed with those attending the service. Victor was especially targeted and openly threatened by the Zanu-PF group, who vowed to deal with him and his family.”
The situation escalated when Zanu-PF supporters followed Victor to his home, where the attack continued, resulting in him fracturing his finger.
“Since that day, Victor has disappeared. We’re not sure if he went into hiding or if he has been captured by those who threatened him,” the family member revealed, their voice filled with worry.
The family’s turmoil did not begin with Victor’s recent troubles. Their hardships date back to 2021, when Josefine was forced to flee Bulawayo after being targeted for her support of the CCC.
“Josefine had initially escaped to Bulawayo, where she operated a salon and shebeen in Mpopoma. But Zanu-PF supporters attacked her business, viewing it as a meeting point for CCC supporters,” the relative recounted. “Now, we are worried that this political situation has torn our family apart.”
With one child to care for, the family is left grappling with the uncertainty of Victor’s fate and the ongoing threat of violence.
“It’s heartbreaking to see our family facing such difficulties simply because of our political beliefs. We just want to be safe and together,” the family member lamented.
As the political landscape in Zimbabwe continues to polarize, families like that of Victor Kufakwedeke and Josefine Sibanda find themselves caught in the crossfire, enduring hardship and fear due to their unwavering support for the CCC.
The troubling trend of enforced disappearances among political activists in Zimbabwe is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern observed in various countries where dissent is met with severe repression.
In Zimbabwe, opposition members, particularly those aligned with the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), have faced increasing threats and violence, leading to a climate of fear that stifles political expression.
Historically, numerous opposition activists have vanished under mysterious circumstances, often after being targeted for their political beliefs. This pattern mirrors global instances where governments have resorted to forced disappearances as a means of silencing dissent. For example, during periods of political unrest in various regions, activists, journalists, and human rights defenders have been abducted or gone missing, leaving families in anguish and uncertainty.
The enforced disappearance of political activists in Zimbabwe has become a distressing reality, particularly for those aligned with the opposition. One of the most notable cases is that of Itai Dzamara, a journalist and pro-democracy activist who was abducted on March 9, 2015, in Harare.
Dzamara was well-known for his activism, including organizing the Occupy Africa Unity Square movement, which demanded accountability from the government. Just days before his disappearance, he had addressed an opposition rally, calling for mass action against the deteriorating economic conditions in the country.
Despite numerous appeals for information regarding his whereabouts, Dzamara’s fate remains a mystery, and his family continues to endure the agony of uncertainty nearly a decade later
Online Reporter