Planned hearings about killings from the 1980s did not begin as expected in Zimbabwe on Thursday. Officials blamed missing money and confusion about schedules for the delay. The meetings were supposed to help survivors of mass killings that happened decades ago. Court challenges also threatened to stop the process before it could start.
Robert Mugabe sent soldiers to kill thousands of people starting in 1983. The former leader used troops trained in North Korea to attack areas that supported his political rival Joshua Nkomo. Most victims came from the Ndebele ethnic group that lived in western Zimbabwe. Experts estimate 20,000 people died during these attacks over several years.
Current President Emmerson Mnangagwa wanted traditional chiefs to interview survivors in village meetings. Chief Mtshane Khumalo leads the group but said other chiefs attended government events instead of preparing for hearings. Two unnamed chiefs told reporters they never received promised fuel and payment for their work. They also complained about unclear instructions for running the meetings.
Joshua Nkomo's son asked Zimbabwe's High Court to block the hearings from happening. Legal experts question whether traditional chiefs have authority to handle such serious matters. Some activists worry the chiefs cannot remain neutral because they work closely with the government. Human rights groups want independent investigators to examine the killings instead.
Mugabe ruled Zimbabwe for nearly four decades and never admitted ordering the massacres. He called the killings a moment of madness before his death in 2019. Mnangagwa served as security minister during the attacks and promised to address the issue after becoming president in 2017.
Robert Mugabe sent soldiers to kill thousands of people starting in 1983. The former leader used troops trained in North Korea to attack areas that supported his political rival Joshua Nkomo. Most victims came from the Ndebele ethnic group that lived in western Zimbabwe. Experts estimate 20,000 people died during these attacks over several years.
Current President Emmerson Mnangagwa wanted traditional chiefs to interview survivors in village meetings. Chief Mtshane Khumalo leads the group but said other chiefs attended government events instead of preparing for hearings. Two unnamed chiefs told reporters they never received promised fuel and payment for their work. They also complained about unclear instructions for running the meetings.
Joshua Nkomo's son asked Zimbabwe's High Court to block the hearings from happening. Legal experts question whether traditional chiefs have authority to handle such serious matters. Some activists worry the chiefs cannot remain neutral because they work closely with the government. Human rights groups want independent investigators to examine the killings instead.
Mugabe ruled Zimbabwe for nearly four decades and never admitted ordering the massacres. He called the killings a moment of madness before his death in 2019. Mnangagwa served as security minister during the attacks and promised to address the issue after becoming president in 2017.
