BUHERA CENTRAL 1. CONSTITUENCY: BUHERA CENTRAL 2. PROVINCE: MANICALAND   3. VENUE: MASASA BUSINESS CENTRE 4. DATE: 19 AUGUST 2009 5. PARTICIPANTS: No.: 26 Sex: 41% female Age: 17–77, average 37 years From: government employees, traditional leaders, political activists, women, youths, peasant farmers and church representatives 6. RECOMMENDATIONS i. Accountability • Perpetrators must be prosecuted for their offences and there must be an end to a culture of violence [women]. • Everyone must be accountable for the atrocities committed in the past. It does not matter to which political party one belonged, everyone must be held accountable. • Perpetrators of serious offences like rape must be committed to prison. ii. A culture of human rights • There must be an end to a culture of abuse. • There is need for legislative reform to protect fundamental freedoms like freedom of movement [government employees]. • Human rights officers must be closer to the people and introduce civic education programmes for the communities so that the people are made aware of their rights. [government employees]. iii. Community development • Community development is being negatively affected by the conduct of dishonest politicians. • Community development programmes must be prioritized. iv. Reparations • In reconciling perpetrators and victims, there is need to redress the injuries suffered by the victims. • All loss must be compensated. An elderly man speaking on behalf of victims asked, “Moyo yedu ingasukwa sei? Kana kuti hurumende ichatipa here huku dzedu kuti tione kuregerera ava?” [“How can our hearts be cleansed? Will the government compensate us for our lost chickens so that we can forgive these people?’] • The victims of political violence should be compensated and should get assistance such as school fees, books and uniforms for their children [government employees]. • Arresting offenders is not enough; they must pay back what they looted and repair what they damaged [women]. Taking Transitional Justice to the People – Outreach Report 31