Pictures: Police block Gukurahundi memorial (UPDATED)

On Saturday, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) blocked Gukurahundi memorial organised by Ibhetshu likaZulu at Maphisa in Bhalagwe. Police had initially cleared the event but made a u-turn.

NewsDay could not reach Matabeleland South police spokesperson, Inspector Philisani Ndebele for a comment. Zapu leader Dumiso Dabengwa was part of the crowd that had gathered to pay homage to those killed during the Gukurahundi massacres. Speaking to NewsDay Dabengwa said:

We recall and recount these gruesome facts of Gukurahundi so that those who died unnecessary and painful deaths may not be forgotten for the great price they did not have to pay, but which they paid so soon after their children, siblings, parents and friends died in the struggle for the liberation of Zimbabwe. It is a rich irony that Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo (the late Vice-President), who is universally recognised as Father Zimbabwe hailed from this traumatised district. In Matabeleland South, Bhalagwe became a notorious place of sadistic beatings and torture. We recall with sadness and outrage that this place experienced daily deaths as a result of these cruel acts of armed men. Many families can attest to the constant digging of graves by survivors. At the same time, some of the bodies of victims were taken away in truckloads and dumped in Antelope mine shafts,

Below are pictures of the incident:

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