A major human rights group just slammed the government's approach to addressing a historical massacre. The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention condemned President Emmerson Mnangagwa's outreach program on the Gukurahundi era. They called it a politicized sham led by the perpetrators themselves, incapable of delivering real justice.
The statement highlights that Mnangagwa oversaw the intelligence agency during the early eighties killings. A military unit called the Fifth Brigade, trained by North Korea, systematically targeted civilians in Matabeleland and the Midlands. Estimates point to around twenty thousand deaths, mainly from the Ndebele and Kalanga communities. The Institute cited reports of torture, rape, and forced displacement, backed by research from Catholic justice groups and academics.
They noted genocidal rhetoric from leaders at the time, including Mnangagwa himself. The 1987 Unity Accord stopped the killings but granted a blanket amnesty, with no apology ever issued. Survivors today say they still face discrimination, needing to hide their names and accents. The Institute accused the state of continuing to suppress discussions, with police blocking related public meetings.
The current outreach program lacks a legal basis and genuine victim involvement, according to the group. They demand an independent, victim-centered process with reparations. Their recommendations include an international investigation and a tribunal to prosecute those responsible, explicitly naming Mnangagwa. They also want Zimbabwe to submit to the International Criminal Court's jurisdiction regarding these crimes.
The statement highlights that Mnangagwa oversaw the intelligence agency during the early eighties killings. A military unit called the Fifth Brigade, trained by North Korea, systematically targeted civilians in Matabeleland and the Midlands. Estimates point to around twenty thousand deaths, mainly from the Ndebele and Kalanga communities. The Institute cited reports of torture, rape, and forced displacement, backed by research from Catholic justice groups and academics.
They noted genocidal rhetoric from leaders at the time, including Mnangagwa himself. The 1987 Unity Accord stopped the killings but granted a blanket amnesty, with no apology ever issued. Survivors today say they still face discrimination, needing to hide their names and accents. The Institute accused the state of continuing to suppress discussions, with police blocking related public meetings.
The current outreach program lacks a legal basis and genuine victim involvement, according to the group. They demand an independent, victim-centered process with reparations. Their recommendations include an international investigation and a tribunal to prosecute those responsible, explicitly naming Mnangagwa. They also want Zimbabwe to submit to the International Criminal Court's jurisdiction regarding these crimes.
