The IDAF will continue to give financial support to released political prisoners and detainees in Zimbabwe for the time being, in cooperation with the national programme of post-war reconstruction and rehabilitation being undertaken by the new Zimbabwe government. The role of the IDAF since UDI in providing legal defence to political prisoners and detainees has fallen away with the advent of Zimbabwe's independence. However, the welfare grants and school fees paid for the families and dependents of political prisoners and detainees will continue for a limited period after release, where the need exists.
The very large numbers of convicted political prisoners and detainees released in Zimbabwe since the beginning of the year and particularly since the announcement of the election results — a total of well over 7,000 people — have made extensive demands on IDAF for the provision of cash grants for their immediate needs and longer term rehabilitation. Such Aid after Release grants are normally paid to prisoners through the Salisbury and Bulawayo offices of Christian Care, a registered welfare organisation within Zimbabwe.
In addition, the IDAF funds further education, training and vocational guidance schemes together with self-employment schemes to help former political prisoners and detainees to support themselves and their families. The projects include farming and agricultural projects — pig and chicken rearing, vegetable growing and selling, irrigation schemes etc; small workshops and businesses such as printing, making and selling garments, garages, general dealing etc; and trades such as carpentry, welding, leather tailoring and building. The projects are assessed and monitored by Christian Care.
The IDAF's intention to continue assisting released prisoners has been warmly endorsed by representatives of the Zimbabwe government. In a letter to the Fund the Minister of Labour and Social Services Mr Kumbirai Kangai said that "the scheme will be of great value to many people who have an important role to play in helping to build the new independent Zimbabwe".
The Prime Minister of Zimbabwe Mr Robert Mugabe has pledged to investigate the disappearance of the prominent lawyer Dr Edson Sithole, Dr Sithole's secretary Ms. Miriam Mhlanga, and other missing persons. Dr Sithole, a former publicity secretary for the African National Council, was abducted together with Ms Mhlanga from outside a Salisbury hotel in October 1975. Repeated efforts supported by both local and international bodies to trace the pair proved fruitless, although they were widely believed to have been for at least some period in the custody of the Special Branch. The IDAF made funds available for a court action in connection with Dr. Sithole's case.
Apart from its assistance to released political prisoners and detainees in Zimbabwe, the IDAF expects for a limited period of time to continue financing efforts by lawyers to trace persons who disappeared in the course of the war.
