BY NOKUTHABA NDLOVU
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has given chiefs in Matabeleland the nod to lead the exhumation of victims of the 1980s Gukurahundi atrocities for reburial, 37 years after the killings ended.
Mnangagwa met the chiefs in Bulawayo on Saturday where they agreed that individual traditional leaders will decide how the exhumations and reburials are done.
The Zanu PF leader, who was a central figure during the program by the North Korea-trained 5th Brigade in Matabeleland and Midlands soon after independence in 1980, says his administration is committed to address the massacres.
In a statement after the meeting held at the State House in Bulawayo, the government said Mnangagwa and the chiefs agreed on a number of issues to address the Gukurahundi question.
“Notably, it has been resolved that each chief will spearhead the resolution of the issue in his or her area of jurisdiction,” the statement read.
“The processes will be victim centered and will also involve key stakeholders engagement.”
The chiefs told Mnangagwa that the process should prioritise the provision of identity documents for Gukurahundi victims, consultation of survivors,
counselling and psychological supports, reburials, exhumations and memorials
together with reparations.
Chiefs also spoke about the underdevelopment and marginalisation of Matabeleland and national healing, reconciliation and national building.
Mnangagwa called for a systematic approach in resolving the Gukurahundi atrocities, government said.
“This will entail feedback on preparedness by a particular chief in issues requiring attention in his or her area of jurisdiction,” the
statement said.
“Regarding exhumations and reburials, this should be
resolved on a case by basis and the relevant chief should give guidance and directions.
“Concerning the issue of social security benefits, this
shall also be resolved on case by case basis.”
Chiefs were requested to organise themselves and come up with an implementation plan detailing preparedness in their area of jurisdiction so as to guide the process while also including their community.
The government said it was agreed that the Gukurahundi issue must not be “tribalised”
Mnangagwa’s handling of the Gukurahundi atrocities has been criticised after he decided to only engage organisations that were sympathetic to him such as the Matabeleland Collective.
The late Robert Mugabe, who was the leader of the country during Gukurahundi, refused to apologise for the atrocities until he died in 2019.
Mnangagwa, who succeeded Mugabe after the 2017 coup, has also not apologised.
Human rights organisations says that at least 20 000, mainly Ndebele speaking, were massacred by security forces for supporting the Joshua Nkomo-led Zapu.