A heavy and sombre atmosphere engulfs this residence as the few relatives remaining struggle to come to terms with an unfortunate event that befell them two days ago.
With the bulk of Chokuda* family members in the suburb of Kuwadzana, Harare having left for Chiweshe to bury Tawanda (33) who was shot and killed during last week’s violent and deadly protests, 263Chat takes time to visit the grieving family to ascertain the unfortunate event that led to the death of their loved one.
However, the move hits a nag as the family, even friends, are not willing to open up due to fear gripping the neighborhood.
The family has not been given the post mortem results on the cause of the death of Tawanda.
However, witnesses told us that he was shot by soldiers who were standing a few meters away from the protesters.
Neighbors and other people who allegedly witnessed Tawanda being shot were also not forthcoming with details on the circumstances surrounding his death.
One of the neighbors chased our news crew away while introducing himself as an officer from the Military Intelligence unit.
An elderly woman who attended to this reporter was not keen on discussing the issue while the other family members were evasive with information.
“I don’t want to be asked about that issue, all I know is that Tawanda is dead and his body has been taken for burial in Chiweshe,” she says agitatedly.
Further pressed, one of the relatives interjected and said;
“There is nothing to say because when it happened we all were in our homes, there is no one whom we can ask for the real details because everyone is scared to talk. There were a lot of people on the site and unfortunately no one wants to come forward and tell us the real story.
“We were just told of the death and we went to collect the body, that as far as we can tell but all we know is pakaipa (it is difficult),” says another relative while posing a question to us. “Where were you when this happened? Why didn’t you see it for yourself?”
At least 12 people were reportedly killed by the military and other state security agents since violence broke out in Harare and Bulawayo early last week.
Government has blamed the MDC for the violence while the opposition party has maintained the victims card saying they have nothing to do with the violent protests that left a trail of destruction in most major cities and towns.
The Chokuda family, however, is adamant that the truth will come out one day.
“Tawanda was a very sober person, he didn’t drink, he didn’t smoke nor drugs. He was just a simple person who lived a quiet life. His friends told us that he was just walking past the protestors when he was shot. Only God know why he was shot and the truth shall come out one day,” says the old lady.
Meanwhile, MDC President Nelson Chamisa has blamed President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his government for the skirmishes.
Speaking at the funeral of one of the victims of the security force’s heavy-handed response to last week’s protests, Chamisa said if Mnangagwa continues to ignore people’s economic plight he would always be under pressure and things would not get any better for the Zanu-PF leader.
