Gukurahundi also aimed at killing ideas in Matebeleland

This month marks 40 years since the tragic death of ZAPU stalwart Jini Ntutha, who was shot and killed by government forces near his Nyamandlovu home during the Gukurahundi era in 1984. Ntutha, who was a steadfast advocate for truth and justice, was remembered this week at a memorial service held in Bulawayo, organized by the Matabeleland-based pressure group Ibhetshu LikaZulu.

Paul Themba Nyathi, the executive director of the Masakhaneni Trust, was the guest of honour at the service. He praised Ntutha for his vigilance, dedication to truth, and the values he upheld during Zimbabwe's liberation struggle. Nyathi described Ntutha as a victim of the Gukurahundi massacres, which targeted the people of Matabeleland and the Midlands, and were aimed at silencing not only individuals but entire communities and their ideas.

"Gukurahundi did not only kill people; it also aimed at killing ideas in Matabeleland and instilling fear," Nyathi said in his speech. "Ntutha was a strong believer in a Zimbabwe that belonged to all its people, not just those who hold positions of power, as is evident today."

Ntutha, who was appointed deputy minister of mines after independence, was one of the prominent leaders of ZAPU, and he continued to fight for the rights and dignity of the people of Matabeleland even after the country gained independence. His unyielding stance on justice ultimately led to his assassination by government forces who feared his influence.

Nyathi also lamented the long-lasting damage caused by the Gukurahundi atrocities, particularly in the education sector, where many schools in the region were impacted by the deployment of non-Ndebele speaking teachers. He called on today's youth to stand for the truth, just as Ntutha did, and to create the Zimbabwe that Ntutha and other liberation icons envisioned.

Human rights activist Effie Ncube, who directed the ceremony, reminded those in attendance that the scars of the Gukurahundi massacres remain unresolved. "As we remember Ntutha, we must also remember all the victims of this evil," Ncube said. "The shallow graves are still out there, some not yet identified, and many people who fled the violence are still in exile."

Ntutha, who served as ZAPU's secretary for defense, was killed at the age of 60 after being pursued by government forces for over 4 kilometers. He was shot with automatic rifles after a relentless manhunt. His death, along with the deaths of an estimated 20,000 people during the Gukurahundi genocide, remains one of the darkest chapters in Zimbabwe's history.

The memorial service not only honored Ntutha's legacy but also served as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and reconciliation for the victims of Gukurahundi. As Zimbabwe moves forward, the call for truth and accountability remains louder than ever.