By Staff Writer
THE Attorney General, Virginia Mabiza says journalists are not welcome to attend the Gukurahundi hearings due to the topic’s sensitivity.
The Gukurahundi was a series of mass killings and genocide in Zimbabwe which were committed from 1983 until the Unity Accord in 1987. The name derives from a Shona language term which loosely translates to “the early rain which washes away the chaff before the spring rains”.
An estimated 20 000 lives were lost and in a bid to bury the hatchet, President Emmerson Mnangagwa initiated a healing process which is envisaged as a solution to attain unity.
However, Mabiza who is also the head of the secretariat for the Matabeleland Peace Building Outreach Programme, told the state run weekly publication that journalists are not allowed to attend the sessions directly.
“In light of the deeply personal and sensitive nature of the testimonies to be shared, media representatives will not be permitted to attend the hearings directly.This measure is intended to preserve the dignity, privacy and emotional safety of participants. Instead, traditional leaders, who are leading the outreach, will provide periodic briefings and updates to the media on the general progress and key findings emerging from the process,” she said.
Mabiza said the outreach programme will initially cover Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South provinces and are anticipated to run for approximately six months over a flexible timeline that will be influenced by the turnout and level of community participation in each area.
The AG said the approach is deliberately community-driven, ensuring that adequate time is allocated for meaningful engagement, documentation and support in each region.”
She said the initiative sought to provide a safe platform for affected communities to share their experiences and propose recommendations for reconciliation and national healing.
“Its ultimate goal is to promote sustainable peace and unity across the country.”
The Government, she said, aimed to create a dignified and inclusive platform for structured community dialogue that upholds principles of openness, mutual respect and participatory justice.
“This platform will uphold the principles of openness, mutual respect and participatory justice, allowing affected communities to engage meaningfully in the national discussions on truth, healing and reconciliation,” she said.
“Key outcomes include the collection of community submissions, the identification of survivors’ needs and the formulation of community-driven recommendations.
“Importantly, this initiative endeavours to deepen and reaffirm the existing trust between the State and affected communities, creating a solid foundation for sustained healing and reconciliation.”
The programme adopts a victim-centred approach, primarily targeting victims of the disturbances, their family members and those with lived experiences of the events, she added.
