Healijng the Wounds of Victims of Political Violence of 2008 Presidential and Harmonized Elections in Chiore Ward, Mutoko, Zimbabwe

Abstract

This study sought to examine the extent to which the people of Chiore ward in Mutoko were affected by political violence in the 2008 Presidential and harmonized elections in order to investigate more effective ways of promoting healing in victims and reintegration of those political victims into their communities. The effectiveness of indigenous strategies of healing in reducing the effects of trauma in victims of political violence was established. The study also sought to establish a programme that could be recommended to be used as a strategy to heal the wounds of victims of political violence. In thisstudy 45 victims, 5 traditional leaders and 1 representative of non- organizations were used as research subjects. Questionnaires and interviews were used as research instruments. The study showed that political victims were affected in various ways to a greater extent by political violence in Chiore ward and that there is a serious need for a comprehensive programme to be implemented to reduce the effects of political violence in the area. The study also revealed that quite a number of strategies can be adopted to promote effective healing in victims of political violence. The study recommends that victims and perpetrators of political violence be accorded ample time for acknowledgement and truth telling for effective healing to take place. It is also necessary for trauma counselling to be conducted to victims of political violence so that they can be able to cope with the consequences of political violence and hence fit well in their societies. Finally, it is also recommended that further research be undertaken in order to establish how best communities and the nation at large can assist victims of political violence and perpetrators to avoid recurrence of political violence and ultimately maintain peaceful societies.