Jestina Mukoko’s horror story of her abduction which she narrates in a book has become a big read internationally.
THIS year’s Zimbabwe International Book Fair (ZIBF), which ended on Saturday, witnessed an increase in the number of individuals not attached to publishing houses, exhibiting their own written works.  Among the independent exhibitors was human rights activist and Zimbabwe Peace Project director, Mukoko. Her stand attracted a lot of people following the publication of her book, The Abduction and Trial of Jestina Mukoko.
Mukoko was abducted by people believed to be Central Intelligent Organisation (CIO) members and spent 55 days held at an unknown place, being tortured, before she was arraigned before the courts. She further spent another three months in remand prison.
She said she thought of exhibiting so people know what happened to her.
“To make Zimbabweans more aware of my story, I have recognised that a lot of people might have heard from the news, but I don’t think they actually know what really transpired, so I’m actually getting a lot of people saying ‘we had no idea this is what you went through’,” she said.
Mukoko said she was humbled by people who visited her stand and showered her with praises for standing up for human rights under a brutal dictatorship.
“I’m humbled by people who said they prayed for me during the time of my incarceration,” she said.
Mukoko’s book was published in April and has sold over 2 000 out the 5 000 copies printed. This year’s book fiesta was held under the theme, Igniting Interest in Reading for Sustainable Development.