Zimbabwe's government-led Gukurahundi Community Outreach Programme has collected more than 18,000 testimonies from residents of Matabeleland provinces as officials work to address violence from the 1980s. Traditional leaders managing the consultation recorded 18,015 accounts as of Wednesday, with Matabeleland North providing 9,554 submissions and Matabeleland South contributing 8,461. Women submitted 10,827 testimonies, accounting for 60 percent of participants, while men provided 7,188 accounts.
Attorney General Virginia Mabiza said officials will extend hearings into next year to accommodate all affected residents. President Emmerson Mnangagwa launched the public testimony program in July of last year, and community sessions began in June of this year. The initiative addresses civil conflict that killed residents primarily in Matabeleland and parts of the Midlands provinces. Traditional leaders conduct the hearings as part of efforts to promote reconciliation and national unity.
Attorney General Virginia Mabiza said officials will extend hearings into next year to accommodate all affected residents. President Emmerson Mnangagwa launched the public testimony program in July of last year, and community sessions began in June of this year. The initiative addresses civil conflict that killed residents primarily in Matabeleland and parts of the Midlands provinces. Traditional leaders conduct the hearings as part of efforts to promote reconciliation and national unity.
