Muzarabani 1. Constituency: Muzarabani 2. Province: Mashonaland central 3. Venue: St. Albert Mission Hospital 4. Date: 15 October 2009 5. Participants: No.: 14 Sex: 28% female Age: 22–77, average 38 years From: political activists, local business people, political violence victims, farmers and youths 6. Recommendations i. Rule of law • The rule of law was seen as the most critical need for the constituency. • “What kind of a country is this? Everyone does what they want. It’s like a family where the father goes to prostitute somewhere, the mother follows suit and the children do likewise. No rules, nothing. Everyone does what he or she wants. I am able to kill. But I do not kill. Not because I am afraid of the law in this country, but because I am afraid of God …” [male victim of political violence]. • It is impossible to heal and receive justice where there was no rule of law. ii. Restitution and reconciliation • Reparations are a precondition for reconciliation [youths, political activists, and women]. • Those who lost property and suffered torture must receive compensation before reconciliation [women] • Reconciliation must not be forced on anyone. “Chinonzi regedza ndechiri mumaoko kwete chiri mumoyo …” [“What is said ‘let go’ is what you hold with hands, not what is in the heart …”] [male participant]. • Traditional leaders who perpetrated violence, displacements and loss of property were expected to pay. • Government was expected to assist with projects as compensation to the affected victims. iii. Accountability • The restoration of the rule of law can lead to the process of accountability for acts of violence and deterrence. • The people were not free to participate in certain processes because of a high level of intimidation and impunity. iv. Institutional reforms • The government institutions were corrupt and partisan and therefore needed to be reformed [all participants]. 54 Taking Transitional Justice to the People – Outreach Report