Some Matabeleland Folks "Insulted" By ED's Gukurahundi Death Certificate Issuance Impending Visit

Some Gukurahundi survivors from Matobo District in Matabeleland South Province are reportedly offended by reports circulating that President Emmerson Mnangagwa will visit the area to kickstart the process of issuing death certificates to victims of the infamous genocide, The Standard reports.

Ndodana Moyo whose brother was killed during the Gukurahundi massacres spoke to the publication and said:

We heard reports of the planned visit by Mnangagwa, but as victims, we get surprised and feel insulted that they will want to visit the area yet they fail to acknowledge Gukurahundi in public and apologise.

A truth-telling process will heal our deep wounds. An apology will heal us further, not a visit that will only remind us of the past, especially that they will be in the presence of those in army uniforms who terrorised us.

Another villager, Artwell Sibanda also said the President’s visit will be an insult to the Ndebele people if a truth commission is not instituted. Said Sibanda who is a member of the United Movement for Devolution (UMD):

To date, there are scattered bricks of destroyed detention centres in Bhalagwe, and other infrastructure used by the Fifth Brigade at the notorious detention centre. Villagers in the area have roofed their homesteads with asbestos sheets from the destroyed detention centres.

It is weird that Mnangagwa is visiting the place of carnage. It is an insult to the people who had their loved ones tortured and butchered by those in power. Such visits should be cancelled and as UMD we call upon the government to institute a truth commission to investigate the massacres and proceed to have restorative justice.

Last month, an application to stop President Mnangagwa from issuing the death certificates for the victims was filed by a Gukurahundi survivor and ZAPU who wanted the courts to stop the Gukurahundi exhumations because they had to consult the families of the victims first.

More: The Standard