Tsholotsho community honours victims of Gukurahundi: A Quest for justice and healing
Providence Moyo
In a poignant commemoration ceremony held earlier in the week, the Tsholotsho community gathered to honour the lives of 21 women and 1 man who were brutally killed in the Emkhonyeni area during the Gukurahundi massacres of 1983.
The emotional event served as a stark reminder of the harrowing reality faced by the victims, who were trapped in a hut set ablaze, their desperate cries for help fading as the fire consumed them. This tragic incident is just one of many atrocities that have left an indelible scar on the community.
The ceremony, attended by BICC Pastor E Mpala, highlighted the enduring pain and loss experienced by the families of the victims. Reflecting on the lives lost in the surrounding villages during that fateful month, Pastor Mpala emphasized the importance of seeking justice and closure. “The Gukurahundi massacres left an indelible scar on our community, and it’s essential that we continue to seek justice and closure for the affected families,” he said.
Mbuso Fuzwayo, Secretary General of Ibhetshu Likazulu, a pressure group advocating for justice and reparations for Gukurahundi victims, underscored the significance of remembering and honoring the lives lost. “We will not forget the atrocities committed during Gukurahundi. We will continue to fight for justice, reparations, and closure for the victims and their families,” Fuzwayo stated. The commemoration extended beyond Emkhonyeni, with Ibhetshu Likazulu also visiting Silonkwe in Tsholotsho, where 27 people were burned alive in another tragic incident.
The Gukurahundi massacres, which took place in the 1980s, resulted in the deaths of an estimated 20,000 people, primarily from the Ndebele ethnic group. The massacres were carried out by the Fifth Brigade, a military unit trained by North Korean instructors, under the directive of the Zimbabwean government. The violence has been widely condemned as a genocide and remains a deeply painful chapter in the nation’s history.
The Tsholotsho community’s unwavering quest for closure and justice serves as a testament to their resilience and determination. As they continue to seek healing and reconciliation, it is crucial that their voices are heard and their stories are remembered. “We will continue to remember and honour the lives lost during the Gukurahundi massacres,” said Pastor Mpala. “May their memory serve as a catalyst for justice, healing, and reconciliation in our community.”
This commemoration not only honors the victims but also amplifies the call for accountability and reparations. The Gukurahundi massacres remain a stark reminder of the need for justice and the importance of preserving historical memory to prevent such atrocities from recurring.
