Dzamaras hold vigil at Africa Unity Square on Itai's birthday

The family of disappeared journalist-cum activist Itai Dzamara held a vigil at Africa  Unity Square in Harare today to mark his 36 birthday.

Itai's wife, Sheffra and children Nokutenda and Nenyasha and his brother Patson lit candles.

Patson said 'we celebrate his life even though he is still in the hands of evil men and women'.

Below is his full statement by Dr Patson Dzamara

Today Itai Dzamara turns 36. Although I am happy to have shared the same womb with such a phenomenal man, today is not a happy day.

His birthday is a stark reminder to us that he is not here for us to share this time as a family. However, we remember Itai today and we celebrate his life even though he is still in the hands of evil men and women. We have faith that God is watches over him and pray His Will is to reunite us.

It has been a surreal five months during which we have had to carry on with life without knowing Itai's whereabouts or his circumstances. The physical difficulties of his absence are dwarfed by the emotional pain of dealing with this gap in our lives. We had never imagined he would be taken from us for so long, but despite our heavy hearts, we cling to hope. Surely the righteousness of his cause and the strength of his spirit will lead to his return.

As much as we as a family suffer from his absence more than anybody, we acknowledge that Itai's disappearance has become a national issue, and we call on Zimbabweans, the very same people my brother struggled on behalf of, to join us in our outrage and pain. We say "Let Itai Dzamara be returned to us". And more than that, we say "Let this never happen again in our country."

We continue to demand justice in the form of a no-holds-barred investigation that will locate and return Itai Dzamara.