ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This publication was made possible by a number of stakeholders. Zimbabwe Civic Education
Trust (ZIMCET) and Heal Zimbabwe Trust (HZT) would like to express their sincere gratitude to all
the communities in rural and urban Zimbabwe who have allowed them into their homes over the
past few years to learn more about their experiences on politically motivated and state
sanctioned human rights violations. The experiences in most instances are quite harrowing and
are never easy to narrate both for the survivors and civil society groups working in the field of
human rights and peace building.
Despite the sometimes difficult operating environment, traditional leaders welcomed the two
organisations into their areas of jurisdiction to discuss critical issues on human rights. Such
cooperation and sacrifice is greatly appreciated. In addition, ZIMCET and HZT wish to thank their
community structures, in particular the peace committees, peace clubs, community based
organisations, early warning committees and community human rights monitors for their
enormous contribution in building peace and fostering a culture of human rights through
documentation of human rights violation and their community based response mechanisms to
human rights violations over the years.
Heal Zimbabwe Trust and ZIMCET acknowledge the support of their key funding partners without
whom projects and logistical arrangements would have been impossible to carry out.
The understanding and cooperation of various government bodies including the Zimbabwe
Republic Police and other institutions in this work is acknowledged.
Lastly, profound gratitude goes to all of the ZIMCET and HZT staff members who continue to work
tirelessly under difficult circumstances to facilitate reconciliation and justice in Zimbabwe.
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