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Gukurahundi genocide healing must include 'truth-telling'
11 Apr 2019 at 16:08hrs | Views
The Movement for Democratic Change says bringing closure to victims of the Gukurahundi genocide must involve a "comprehensive programme of truth-telling."
The Gukurahundi was a series of atrocious massacres of over 20,000 Ndebele civilians carried out by the Zimbabwe National Army from early 1983 to late 1987. It derives from a Shona language term which loosely translates to "the early rain which washes away the chaff before the spring rains".
President Emmerson Mnangagwa who was a key cog in the operation, then as Defence Minister, with former president Robert Mugabe in overall charge, okayed reburials and announced steps to help surviving children and spouses to obtain birth and death records.
More than two decades later, victims and their families are still crying out for justice and reparations, while the government had hitherto almost totally refused to acknowledge the genocide and key participants are yet to publicly show contrition for their role in the massacre of the mainly Ndebele minority. Mugabe once described the period as a moment of madness.
"Compensation for Gukurahundi victims and their families, whilst a welcome development, must be accompanied by a comprehensive programme of truth telling," MDC secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora said on Twitter.
Ibhetshu LikaZulu, one of the organisations in the 'Matabeleland Collective', said it was pleased by the "acknowledgement by the government that Gukurahundi genocide took place in our history as a country after so much denial and unnecessary violation of the rights of those that brought it to their attention."
But the group, which has been at the forefront of campaigning for justice for victims, said for the healing process to begin, the government must "acknowledge that this was genocide and encourage truth telling."
The Gukurahundi was a series of atrocious massacres of over 20,000 Ndebele civilians carried out by the Zimbabwe National Army from early 1983 to late 1987. It derives from a Shona language term which loosely translates to "the early rain which washes away the chaff before the spring rains".
President Emmerson Mnangagwa who was a key cog in the operation, then as Defence Minister, with former president Robert Mugabe in overall charge, okayed reburials and announced steps to help surviving children and spouses to obtain birth and death records.
"Compensation for Gukurahundi victims and their families, whilst a welcome development, must be accompanied by a comprehensive programme of truth telling," MDC secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora said on Twitter.
Compensation for Gukurahurahundi victims and their families whilst a welcome development must be accompanied by a comprehensive program of truth telling. We thank some chiefs in Matabeleland and other progressives who remained resolute on this issue.
— Douglas Mwonzora (@DMwonzora) April 10, 2019
Ibhetshu LikaZulu, one of the organisations in the 'Matabeleland Collective', said it was pleased by the "acknowledgement by the government that Gukurahundi genocide took place in our history as a country after so much denial and unnecessary violation of the rights of those that brought it to their attention."
But the group, which has been at the forefront of campaigning for justice for victims, said for the healing process to begin, the government must "acknowledge that this was genocide and encourage truth telling."
Source - ZimLive
