For Tonderai Ndira, his political fight in Zimbabwe is over. Ndira will no longer be fighting against the rule of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe. He will not be campaigning when Zimbabwe undergoes the runoff election that is set for June 27. Ndira will instead be resting in an unmarked grave at the Warren Hills cemetery located in Zimbabwe’s capital of Harare.
A night ago, Ndira’s body was discovered. But, the body of Ndira was discovered by accident. If not for a twist of fate, Ndira’s body may never have been found. The body was almost unrecognizable as it looked to be severely beaten. Ndira’s eyes were gouged out and the tongue cut off. The only thing that made Ndira recognizable was a ring on his finger.
Robert Mugabe has blamed opposition candidate Morgan Tsvangirai and the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Party for the violence that plagued Zimbabwe. Grace Mugabe said that Tsvangirai will never be allowed to take power, even if he wins the runoff election. Mugabe has accused Tsvangirai of being a puppet to a Western conspiracy to remove him from power and to reestablish an imperial rule over Zimbabwe.
Ndira’s body revealed that he suffered a crushed skull and a bullet wound to the chest. He is known to be a life-long activist trying to promote change to Zimbabwe. His death could be perceived as fear and intimidation tactics orchestrated by Mugabe’s administration and his Zanu-PF Party.
It was only two weeks ago where Ndira returned home. Then men burst into Ndira’s home, beat him, and dragged him outside. Until his body was discovered, Ndira was not seen then.
But, human rights groups and the UN have blamed Mugabe’s Zanu-PF Party for most of the violence.
The US top diplomat to Africa, Jendayi Frazer, has accused Mugabe of trying to steal the election.
South African President Thabo Mbeki has been criticized for his reaction towards the violence in Zimbabwe. He has been accused of siding with Mugabe. Tsvangirai recently said that Mbeki was no longer fit to mediate.
Mbeki and US President George W. Bush have recently clashed over the matter as well. It was confirmed that Mbeki sent a letter to Bush telling him to butt out and to stop criticizing Mugabe.
Ndira’s grave is unmarked. Only Ndira’s brother knows the whereabouts of the mound that he is buried in. But, the brother has refused to mark the grave. He fears that the people responsible will try to remove any vital evidence.
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