Research and Discussion Paper on a TJ Framework for Zimbabwe 3. Why is there a Need for Transitional Justice in Zimbabwe? Before its attainment of independence in 1980, Zimbabwe (then known as Rhodesia) had been under colonial rule since 1890. Between 1972 and 1979 there was a violent struggle for independence. In terms of reconciliation and justice, Zimbabwe’s violent colonial past was never addressed by way of a co-ordinated transitional justice process. Following the attainment of independence, violent internal conflicts continued to impact seriously on Zimbabwe’s development, killing, torturing, internally displacing thousands of people in particular: • • • • • • 1983-1984: The Matabeleland and Midland atrocities, called also the Gukurahundi, where over 20,000 people were killed.12 1998: The food riots, where the government deployed the army against riots over soaring food price; several people died.13 2000:An estimated 700,000 people in cities across the country have either lost their homes or their livelihoods or both, by the so-called operation Murambatsvina called by the state to restore order.14 2000: Led by war veterans, more than 1,600 commercial farms were, mostly violently, occupied by settlers.15 2008: In post- and pre-election violence, 193 citizens had been killed in political violence that targeted members of the opposition party.16 2018: In post election violence, at least 6 persons died.17 Following up these tragic events, however, Zimbabwe and its people are yet to experience justice, reconciliation and healing at the national and community level. To develop a sustainable and comprehensive transitional justice framework for Zimbabwe, it is essential to map the types of violence and the types of perpetrators. This approach will assist to identify and prioritize state or non-state agencies who commit the violations. The identification of the types of violations committed will enable institutions, state and non-state actors dealing with transitional justice to advocate and demand the implementation of the transitional justice pillars. For this exercise, data from the Zimbabwean Human Rights NGO Forum database, which contains details of victims who were looking for support at the Forum between January 1, 1998 to October 14, 2014, has been used. 12 Breaking the silence, building True peace: a report on the disturbances in Matabeleland and the Midlands, 1980 - 1988 – a summary, The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace in Zimbabwe & The Legal Resources Foundation; http://hrforumzim.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/breaking-the-silence.pdf 13 A consolidated report on the food riots 19 — 23 JANUARY 1998; Report compiled by the AMANI Trust on behalf of the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum; http://www.hrforumzim.org/publications/reports-on-political-violence/food-riots-jan-1998/ 14 Report of the Fact-Finding Mission to Zimbabwe to assess the Scope and Impact of Operation Murambatsvina by the UN Special Envoy on Human Settlements Issues in Zimbabwe Mrs. Anna KajumuloTibaijuka; http://www.un.org/News/dh/infocus/zimbabwe/zimbabwe_rpt.pdf 15 https://www.hrw.org/reports/2002/zimbabwe/ZimLand0302-02.htm 16 US department of state; country report, Zimbabwe 2009; 193 citizens had been killed in political violence that targeted members of the opposition party 17 https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/08/03/zimbabwe-least-6-dead-post-election-violence 9 DRAFT