The real horror of Jestina Mukoko’s harrowing and detailed recollection of her time as a victim of abduction, torture and denial of all basic human rights comes with the realisation that this book is not about a banana republic in 1950s South America or a war-torn 1960s Southeast Asian country caught up in Cold War proxy struggles.
It hits you hard in the stomach, just as if you had been punched by a thug yourself; this realisation that it’s set right here in Zimbabwe, right now in contemporary times. Apart from reeling at the appalling treatment she received, what also strikes hard is the knowledge that the people who carried out the abduction and torture live among us still, shadowy in their misdeeds and protected by a system that is rotten to the core. She ends her story with a call to know the truth about the entire episode … and, indeed, about the miscellany of other similar crimes committed through what could well be described as Zimbabwe’s own ongoing ‘reign of terror.’
Her story is known to most of us: abduction by unknown people, accusations of crimes against ‘the state’ and a ragged series of experiences in prisons and before the courts, ending with release after months of heartache, despair and horror. One wishes hers was the only such story to tell, but, as she points out, hers is only one of many, not all of them historic and some very much current; think only of Itai Dzamara.
I like to think the writing of the story has been a cathartic experience for her, releasing from her mind, body and soul some – obviously not all – of the anguish, misery and pain, both physical and mental. I also like to think that its telling could result in a turning away from this kind of behaviour in a 21st century country, though here I must admit this thinking is, at best, naïve.
What a mass of literature has come out of Zimbabwe in the past 20 years of economic, social and political turmoil; books that reveal a vast array of crimes and misdeeds. Jestina’s book stands among them as a further testimony to what can only be described as evil action. She gives a background to her own life story, positioning herself as being well within the establishment at one point, as a staffer in the state-owned Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, and then moving on to human rights activity, much like a reformed drinker or cigarette smoker becomes a vocal and vociferous campaigner for abstention. In this respect, she is like so many other of today’s opposition figures: people once on the inside and now outside.
She was abducted in her night clothes early one morning and taken to unknown locations to be interrogated and accused of being subversive and treasonous. Spending days and weeks hidden away, with family and friends not knowing if she were dead or alive, she is eventually brought into ‘the system’ – although the system she was brought into was itself fraught with a great many abuses of human rights and exposure to tragic circumstances.
All this took place at a time of great confusion, chaos and misery, just after the 2008 elections and at the time of negotiations for and then installation of a coalition government in 2009. At the end of a long period of shock, horror and agonising isolation and confinement, she is granted her freedom, but unsatisfyingly her tormentors remain unpunished. She later travels extensively to talk about her experience and to receive awards and recognition for having stood her ground, relieved that she had survived the experience.
Can we enjoy this book? What can we learn from it? What should we do in reaction to reading it?
No – it’s not for enjoyment and it has, at the time of this review, no happy ending in reality. We learn from it that when things are wrong and rotten they must be addressed and changed. In reaction, we should re-dedicate ourselves to the fight for justice and freedom for all, taking heart from this woman’s refusal to bow down to unimaginable pressure to desert her principles.
Within the book there are some errors of fact (for example, ZANU PF has been called that since the 1980 elections, and not just since the unity accord of 1987) and it could have done with a better editing job than it has been given. However, it is a fine read and a book that should be read by anyone who cares about our country. I like to think that one day the culprits behind Jestina’s misery will be brought to justice and that they will not be alone, but will be judged along with those who directed them and allowed them to do what they did. When that time comes, as it most certainly will, I hope Jestina can produce a second instalment that provides further perspective. Perhaps she can even position her ideas about how to stop this kind of horrific madness, which might seem natural were it to have occurred a couple of thousand years ago but is so out of step with the 21st century that it brings shame on all of us Zimbabweans.
The Abduction and Trial Of Jestina Mukoko: The Fight for Human Rights in Zimbabwe is published by KMM Review Publishing, South Africa, 2016.
It?¦s really a cool and useful piece of information. I am happy that you shared this useful info with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
You made some respectable factors there. I appeared on the internet for the problem and found most individuals will go together with together with your website.
I discovered your blog site on google and check a few of your early posts. Continue to keep up the very good operate. I just additional up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Seeking forward to reading more from you later on!…
I truly enjoy studying on this website , it has fantastic blog posts.
Awsome article and straight to the point. I don’t know if this is really the best place to ask but do you guys have any ideea where to employ some professional writers? Thx 🙂
What i do not understood is in truth how you are now not actually a lot more neatly-liked than you may be right now. You are very intelligent. You realize thus considerably with regards to this subject, made me for my part imagine it from so many numerous angles. Its like men and women aren’t fascinated except it is one thing to do with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs excellent. All the time maintain it up!
You made some decent points there. I looked on the internet for the topic and found most people will consent with your blog.
I am now not positive the place you’re getting your info, but great topic. I must spend some time studying more or working out more. Thank you for magnificent information I was looking for this info for my mission.
I’m really enjoying the theme/design of your website. Do you ever run into any browser compatibility problems? A number of my blog audience have complained about my blog not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Firefox. Do you have any tips to help fix this issue?
Hello my loved one! I want to say that this article is amazing, great written and include approximately all significant infos. I¦d like to peer more posts like this .
Hey very nice website!! Man .. Beautiful .. Amazing .. I will bookmark your web site and take the feeds also…I am happy to find numerous useful information here in the post, we need develop more techniques in this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .
I do enjoy the way you have framed this challenge and it really does give me some fodder for thought. Nonetheless, because of what precisely I have personally seen, I only wish as the actual responses pack on that men and women stay on issue and not embark on a soap box associated with some other news of the day. Anyway, thank you for this fantastic piece and even though I do not necessarily go along with it in totality, I regard your standpoint.
Dead composed subject material, thanks for entropy.
I just could not go away your web site prior to suggesting that I actually enjoyed the usual info an individual supply on your visitors? Is gonna be again steadily in order to check out new posts.
I am often to blogging and i really appreciate your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your site and keep checking for new information.
When I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Thanks!
I truly enjoy looking at on this site, it has got good blog posts. “When a man’s willing and eager, the gods join in.” by Aeschylus.
Some truly nice stuff on this internet site, I enjoy it.
But wanna comment that you have a very nice web site, I enjoy the design it actually stands out.
Very interesting points you have mentioned, appreciate it for posting. “Jive Lady Just hang loose blood. She gonna handa your rebound on the med side.” by Airplane.
Great post, I think people should larn a lot from this blog its real user pleasant.
Your home is valueble for me. Thanks!…
Thank you for some other informative blog. Where else may just I get that kind of information written in such an ideal method? I’ve a undertaking that I’m simply now operating on, and I have been on the look out for such info.
It is really a great and useful piece of information. I am glad that you shared this helpful information with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the sensible critique. Me & my neighbor were just preparing to do some research about this. We got a grab a book from our area library but I think I learned more clear from this post. I’m very glad to see such wonderful info being shared freely out there.
It is best to take part in a contest for among the finest blogs on the web. I’ll advocate this web site!
Hi! Do you know if they make any plugins to protect against hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any tips?
Well I really enjoyed reading it. This post procured by you is very useful for accurate planning.
It?¦s really a cool and useful piece of information. I?¦m happy that you just shared this helpful info with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.
I was just seeking this information for a while. After six hours of continuous Googleing, at last I got it in your website. I wonder what’s the lack of Google strategy that don’t rank this type of informative sites in top of the list. Generally the top websites are full of garbage.
Dead composed subject material, appreciate it for entropy.
I believe this is one of the so much significant information for me. And i am happy reading your article. But wanna commentary on few common things, The website style is great, the articles is really nice : D. Excellent process, cheers
I’m still learning from you, while I’m trying to achieve my goals. I definitely enjoy reading everything that is written on your website.Keep the posts coming. I liked it!
The subsequent time I learn a weblog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as a lot as this one. I mean, I know it was my option to read, but I really thought youd have one thing interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about one thing that you could repair for those who werent too busy on the lookout for attention.
I was just looking for this information for some time. After six hours of continuous Googleing, at last I got it in your web site. I wonder what is the lack of Google strategy that don’t rank this kind of informative web sites in top of the list. Generally the top websites are full of garbage.
This design is incredible! You obviously know how to keep a reader entertained. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Fantastic job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!
Hi, Neat post. There’s a problem along with your website in internet explorer, might test thisK IE nonetheless is the marketplace leader and a big element of folks will leave out your wonderful writing due to this problem.
I’m not sure where you’re getting your information, but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more. Thanks for magnificent information I was looking for this info for my mission.
Thanks for sharing superb informations. Your site is very cool. I am impressed by the details that you have on this site. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for more articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found just the info I already searched everywhere and simply couldn’t come across. What a great web-site.
Hello, Neat post. There is a problem with your site in web explorer, might check thisK IE still is the marketplace leader and a large portion of other folks will pass over your great writing because of this problem.
I am glad to be one of many visitants on this great web site (:, thankyou for putting up.
You have noted very interesting details! ps decent internet site. “The length of a film should be directly related to the endurance of the human bladder.” by Alfred Hitchcock.
You made a number of fine points there. I did a search on the subject matter and found most people will agree with your blog.
Hello my loved one! I wish to say that this article is amazing, nice written and come with almost all vital infos. I?¦d like to look more posts like this .
Good article and straight to the point. I don’t know if this is truly the best place to ask but do you guys have any thoughts on where to get some professional writers? Thanks in advance 🙂
Heya i’m for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and aid others like you helped me.
Thanks for one’s marvelous posting! I truly enjoyed reading it, you happen to be a great author.I will always bookmark your blog and will eventually come back someday. I want to encourage you to definitely continue your great job, have a nice day!
I consider something genuinely special in this web site.
I conceive this site has got some real great info for everyone : D.
You really make it seem so easy along with your presentation however I to find this matter to be actually one thing that I think I’d by no means understand. It seems too complicated and very large for me. I’m taking a look ahead in your next publish, I’ll attempt to get the dangle of it!
You got a very wonderful website, Glad I observed it through yahoo.
Great site! I am loving it!! Will be back later to read some more. I am bookmarking your feeds also.
I like this post, enjoyed this one thank you for posting. “We are punished by our sins, not for them.” by Elbert Hubbard.