via Gukurahundi not a Myth neither is it a Closed Chapter!! 12 January 2015
The current debate on the Gukurahundi massacres, a sad epoch in the Zimbabwean history that witnessed the massacre of over 20 000 people in Matabeleland in the early 1980s is neither a myth nor a closed chapter as some individuals purport.
It is unfortunate that to date nothing has been done by the Government in terms of publicly acknowledging the heinous crimes and bringing the perpetrators to book. If anything, some of those who participated in this regrettable deed remain in high offices of authority. To date effects of the massacres are still fresh in the survivors’ lives.This regrettable act which took place during the early 1980s was a suppression of Zimbabwean civilians, mostly supporters of the late Vice President, Joshua Nkomo by members of Zimbabwe’s 5th brigade in the predominantly Ndebele regions and Midlands area. This North Korea trained 5th brigade killed in cold blood more than 20,000 civilians. This massacre ended after the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) and the Zimbabwe African Peoples’ Union (ZAPU) reached a unity agreement on 22 December 1987 that merged the two parties to form one party, ZANU PF.
Heal Zimbabwe Trust believes that a national dialogue on the Gukurahundi massacres has to be opened up so as to open a discourse on healing and reconciliation. The salient point is that Gukurahundi has victims who are in dire need of healing, reparations, counselling and trauma healing. The continued eschewing of this regrettable but yet national issue by Government is a real retrogression against the attainment of national healing, peace and reconciliation.
There is also need for national dialogue on the matter where victims will tell the truth. Gukurahundi remains a period of conflict that has been neglected for long and continues to cause public outcry every time it is brought up. Gukurahundi was more than a “moment of madness” as President Mugabe would have us believe. The mass massacres and the scarred victims remain fresh in the minds of many and the echoes of these tragic years still reverberate to this day.
The Organ on National Healing and Reconciliation which has been placed under Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko must ensure that this responsibility of healing a nation that is in the deep end abyss of pain and hurt is given first priority. The Government must also swiftly uphold the Constitution by setting up the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) so that it commences its constitutional mandate of dealing with post and present conflicts, healing and reconciliation.
Heal Zimbabwe Trust implores the Government to swiftly operationalize the NPRC which faces an onerous task of healing past and fresh wounds.
COMMENTS
It has been said that time heals all wounds. I don’t agree. The wounds remain. Time – the mind, protecting its sanity – covers them with some scar tissue and the pain lessens, but it is never gone.
Rose Kennedy
it is really sad that someone who actually said that Gukurahundi is a myth peddled by the west has been put to be in charge of the Organ for National Healing, honestly what do you think he will achieve, to Mphoko Gukurahundi does not exist so what healing will he talk about, this was done deliberately so that the Zanu Pf government will keep the chapter of Gukurahundi closed, what a shame
We will never forget Mugabe never. Hell is waiting for you. Enjoy your nyama now while you can because you will hate the smell in hell.
Its good to see that there is now more discussion of Gukurahundi. People like Mnangagwa have stepped over dead bodies to get to where they are now and they should know that the ruthless streak that they unleashed on defenceless and innocent civilians will not just die away just like that.
Tinomunamataishe is a nice name
It has to be brought out into the open, offenders need to be prosecuted, and yes Nyoni, may Mugabe must rot in hell
Then we just have to back to the 19 th Century ….Chimoio , Victory Camp , Nyadzonia etc … It’s all good . Let’s call a spade a spade !!
Well said Dr Do Little. Tinomunamataishe don’t worry much about so called Manangagwa.Every dog shall have its day very soonest…and those without will be provided …. and maybe he has already been slow poisoned… usually when it comes to cynide the undertaker would be of an opinion that the slow poison is taking rather too long. He may even commit suicide that one jus’ watch him.
Well said Dr Do Little. When it comes to Cyanide it means the slow poison or isibindisengwenya is taking too long. Every dog shall have its own day………. and those without shall be provided!!