Villagers in Silozwi, Matobo district are still living the memories of Gukurahundi atrocities carried out between 1983-87 in Matabeleland and Midlands Provinces.
This came out at a Peace-Building Meeting organised by Matopo Agenda, a chapter of Bulawayo Agenda during the weekend. In memory of the worst ever historical period, Gukurahundi, villagers gathered at Christopher Nyathi’s home in preparation for the burial of the remains of his father, Mvulo Nyathi who was killed by the fifth brigade in 1984.
However, the burial failed to take off as Matobo police refused to clear it saying they had not been given orders to ‘deal with Gukurahundi issues’.
They referred the case to Matobo District Administrators’ (DA) office. Villagers informed Bulawayo Agenda that the DA’s office referred the case to Matabeleland Provincial Administrator’s office which has cleared the burial but on certain conditions.The conditions are that the burial ceremony shall be held after a month from now with the cause of the death of Nyathi being changed to that he died of a headache. Villagers who had camped at Nyathi’s homestead in preparation for the burial as they had dug the grave and bought a coffin since Friday had to disperse this Monday as they were told the burial could not go ahead.
Ward 16 councillor Ethel Nyamukuta comfirmed the developments however expressing insecurity within the area as there were suspected of tracking of Christopher Nyathi’s car by unidentified people. Christopher is based in Botswana and the son to the late Mvulo Nyathi. Nyathi was allegedly killed together with three others for supporting the Joshua Nkomo led PF ZAPU. According to those who witnessed the killings, the four were brought to Silozwi shops where the community had been forced to gather with their hands tied in barbed wired.
They were beaten thoroughly sustaining serious injuries before being dragged to the mountain behind Silozwi High school where they were shot and killed and their bodies dragged into a cave.
Only one of the victims had a proper burial as others’ remains are still hidden in the caves behind Silozwi High School. This move by the Silozwi community is a clear message that Gukurahundi is not a closed chapter. It is evidence of a hurting community who, although traumatised, have defeated fear by letting their voice be heard on Gukurahundi issues. Conduct of the Matobo police, Matobo District Administration Office and conditions set by the PA’s office is evidence of the Government’s attempts to sweep Gukurahundi under the carpet, which is a direct affront to national healing and reconciliation efforts by Zimbabweans at large.
*Gukurahundi is a Shona word meaning " "the early rain which washes away the chaff before the spring rains". In this case it refers to the genocide carried out by ZANU PF that happened between 1983-1987 in Zimbabwe's Matabeleland and Midlands regions. More than 20 000 civilians were killed by a North Korea trained Five Brigade. It is regarded as the worst ever human rights abuse period in Zimbabwe.