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Hildergarde The Arena
ZIMBABWEANS who grew up in the rural areas know that when the harvest was good, it was time to celebrate and families would take turns to host “jakwara” parties.

These were festivals where families brewed beer and asked other villagers to assist them thresh their grain, and afterwards celebrate the good work over a good brew.

There is a Shona register that characterised “jakwara,” and it was the banter, jest, crosstalk, wordplay or quip that went with it.

It was fun, but it had its moments of consternation because at the threshing floor, salacious secrets such as infidelity, stealing would be revealed in jest.

Culprits’ names were never mentioned, but as people sang along while threshing, they would know the person being referred to.

The register was also bound by a golden rule: “Chihwerure hachiendi kumba,” meaning that it was taboo to take the frustrations and anger arising from the secrets revealed at the threshing floor home. It was not done. If you were smart, you would find your own juicy pieces and spring surprises at the next “jakwara.”

This remains a Zimbabwean register even if there are combine harvesters to replace the “jakwara” festival.

So too diplomacy!

It has its dos and don’ts and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations is the yardstick used on how members of the diplomatic community accredited to any country operate vis-à-vis the host country.

It is with this in mind that the writer has been asking whether the alleged disappearance of journalist-turned political activist Itai Dzamara is now part of the brief of Western diplomats accredited to Zimbabwe.

It comes as a big surprise when suddenly the West’s diplomatic machinery is so well oiled to push around the Government of Zimbabwe to look for someone they say has been forced to disappear and/or been abducted. What an oxymoron!

There are no questions as to why the witnesses did not take pictures, in this digital age.

It is as if Zimbabwe lacks the machinery to investigate cases brought before it. Western embassies (United States of America, Canada and the European Union) have been publishing time lines since March 11.

The US Embassy on March 11 for example said it noted “with grave concern the reports of the forced disappearance of civil society activist Itai Dzamara on March 9, 2015. We support Mr Dzamara’s right to freedom of expression and to demonstrate peacefully.

“We urge the relevant authorities to demonstrate their professionalism by fully investigating the circumstances surrounding Mr Dzamara’s abduction. If he is being held in state custody, it is vital that his fundamental human rights and freedoms as guaranteed by Zimbabwe’s Constitution be honoured.”

I hope that the reader notes the terminology used. What is “forced disappearance”? Is it synonymous to “abduction,” and can these terms be used interchangeably? Why were these red alerts being raised three days after Dzamara went “missing,” and why were foreign embassies in the forefront when Dzamara has a family and a neighbourhood? Why also sound like they know more than what they pretend to send out?

Two days later, the Canadian embassy also issued a statement: “Canada is deeply concerned by the reported forced disappearance of Zimbabwean human rights activist Itai Dzamara on March 9 2015. The new Zimbabwean Constitution reaffirms the right of citizens to personal liberty, to personal security, to freedom of assembly and association, and to freedom to demonstrate and petition. We call upon the Government of Zimbabwe to shed light on the fate and whereabouts of Mr Dzamara and secure his immediate release free of harm if he is being held unlawfully.”

On April 9 the US Public Affairs section wrote: “Today marks one month since the initial reports of the forced disappearance of Zimbabwean civil society activist Itai Dzamara.

The United States remains concerned about Mr Dzamara’s whereabouts and wellbeing. On this date, we reiterate our call to the Zimbabwean authorities to mobilise their full resources to investigate the circumstances surrounding Mr Dzamara’s abduction and to ensure the protection of his fundamental human rights and freedoms.”

On June 17, the Canadian embassy issued another statement:

“It has now been 100 days since the forced disappearance of Zimbabwean human rights activist Itai Dzamara on 9 March 2015.

Canada remains deeply concerned for his health and safety; troubled that to date there has been no information forthcoming as to his condition or whereabouts; and disappointed that the Government of Zimbabwe has not done more to communicate its efforts to find Itai and bring to justice those responsible. We call on the Government of Zimbabwe to redouble its efforts in determining the fate and whereabouts of Itai Dzamara and to provide regular reports to the public — and more importantly to his family — about the progress of its investigation…”

Another veiled threat all couched in development speak language was also issued by the US embassy: “The US government and other international partners are disappointed that the Government of Zimbabwe has not done more to communicate its efforts to find Itai Dzamara, reportedly abducted over 100 days ago, and bring to justice those responsible.”

Since the days of slavery up to the liberation struggle, mothers, fathers, wives, husbands and children have suffered silently.

The missing and/or disappearance of a loved one are traumatic experiences, but does it require the gamut of the Western world to blackmail, bully and threaten the Government of Zimbabwe? Are there no other civil means than the sensationalism and theatrics?

You also start questioning the sincerity of the messages presented at some Western countries’ national days. Have they now become platforms for advocating Dzamara’s “disappearance/abduction?” Dzamara was the postscript at Italy’s national day; the same at the Swiss national day. The climax was at the French national day on July 14.

The French Ambassador Mr Laurent Delahousse said: “Many positive things have happened in the past year. Zimbabwe is playing a constructive role at the helm of both the African Union and Sadc. The situation of human rights has improved, despite regrettable but limited incidents.

“The by-elections held this year were peaceful — albeit the issues at stake were limited due to the decision of major opposition parties not to compete… To conclude, I want to stress the importance of the International Conference on Climate which will be hosted by France at the end of the year under the name of COP 21…

“France, as the host of the conference, and Zimbabwe as the chair of the African Union and Sadc, have a special responsibility to ensure the success of this conference. That is why we are working together, through intensified consultations between French officials and the efficient team of your ministry of Environment, Water and Climate… Zimbabwe is a key partner in these negotiations. We know that we can rely on your country to push for an ambitious, universal, binding and equitable agreement. We know that we can count on Zimbabwe to offer compromises,” he said.

But the seemingly positive message came to an anti-climax after the toast had been proposed when Ambassador Delahousse, in a by the way manner raised Dzamara’s “disappearance” as his wife and child came forward.

Then, it was time for snacks as superstar Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi entertained the large crowd that included senior Government officials, members of the diplomatic corps and civil society representatives.

This was true to the spirit of “jakwara” despite the gravity of the issues at hand. After all, “Chihwerure hachiendi kumba.” Notwithstanding, people take issue at the insinuations and innuendoes, all of them levelled at the Government of Zimbabwe.

And, lest some people got carried away when Tuku played his hit song, “Ngoromera ingoromera”, they must revisit the meaning and see who really is the bully he is refers to. Below are the lyrics:

Ngoromera ingoromera

Harina zvarinoshanda, haringabatsire!

Zuva nezuva haritonge matare ngoromera

Harina zvarinoshanda, haringabatsire!

Zuva nezuva hachitonge matare chibhakera

Hachina zvachinoshanda , hachingabatsire!

Zuva nezuva haritonge matare gonan’ombe,

Harina zvarina zvarinoshanda, haringabatsire!

Financial muscle is no excuse to interfere in the internal affairs of a sovereign state!