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Precious Manomano Herald Reporter
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has joined hands with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to assist relatives locate their missing migrant loved ones.
Speaking at the 3rd International Conference for Families of Missing Persons in Harare yesterday, Assistant Commissioner Crispen Lifa urged the public to report missing persons to enable police to investigate the disappearance.
“Our partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross will assist us in coming up with solid ways of searching for information for missing people. We encourage members of the public to report all missing cases at various police stations to create a record that will pave the way for further investigations to be carried out.
”At the end of the day, we will have answers of what could have happened. We are there to support and come up with ways of assisting one another,’’ he said.
The Zimbabwe Red Cross Society (ZRCS) Human Resources and Administration manager Mr Geshum Hombarume who was speaking on behalf of secretary general Mr Elias Hwenga, said the initiative serves as a networking and knowledge-sharing platform, providing an opportunity for families to connect, share experiences, offer and receive inspiration from others navigating similar challenges.
”This event marks a significant milestone in our joint efforts to provide solace, support, and crucial information to families affected by the heart-wrenching experience of having a loved one go missing,’’ he said.
Some relatives said the joint commitment by police and the ICRC is greatly appreciated adding that it is critical for them to know what could have transpired to their missing relatives.
Mrs Rudo Nyakuni (54) of Highfield, Harare said she and her family are still looking for their relative Melbourmore Nyakuni who went missing in 2010.
‘’Melbourmore is my brother’s daughter. I was staying with her after her two marriages failed. She has two children. The older one is in form one. We don’t know what happened to her. So far, there is no communication from her. We are hoping that this partnership will pave the way for her return whether alive or dead. We are now ready for any news about her now,’’ she said.
Mr Charles Ngana said his sister, Tsitsi Ngana (42) disappeared in 2008.
He said Tsitsi went to South Africa in 2008 to seek greener pastures, leaving behind two daughters. She never came back.
”She was working as a hairdresser in Harare. She went to SouthAfrica with the aim of finding a better job. I went to search for her in South Africa where we thought she was living with her friends in 2011 but to no avail. We still have hope that the Red Cross will assist us in locating my sister,’’ he said.
Gogo Deliwe Shomwe of Epworth said she is still looking for her grandson Hope Mafema who went to South Africa in 2008 to find employment but has never communicated with family members.
‘’He went to South Africa with his friends to find employment but never came back. We heard that he changed his name there. I am not sure why he changed his name. I am hopeful that through this initiative, we will find him. He was only 19 years old when he left. I always wonder if he is still alive and why he is failing to communicate with me,’’ said Gogo Shomwe.
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