Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka, [email protected]
THE cumulative number of documented testimonies in the ongoing Gukurahundi Community Outreach Programme has surpassed the 25 000 mark, with the Government indicating that the public hearing phase could move towards conclusion within the next four months.
This was revealed by the Attorney General, Mrs Virginia Mabiza, who also heads the Secretariat of the Matabeleland Peacebuilding Outreach Programme.
Providing an update on the latest milestones in the national healing initiative, Mrs Mabiza said the programme launched by President Mnangagwa in July 2024 has experienced increased participation as Zimbabwe works towards a home grown response to the 1980s disturbances.
The hearings, which went into full operation in June last year, are being led by traditional leaders across Matabeleland North and South.
Mrs Mabiza said the steady rise in submissions from the two provinces shows the process is now moving towards the reporting and recommendation phase of the victim-centred programme.
According to the latest data, the truth-telling phase has drawn balanced participation from both provinces, with women taking a leading role.
“The cumulative total of documented testimonies now stands at 25 034, recorded through outreach and online platforms. Of these, 13 662 (54.57 percent) were submitted from Matabeleland North and 11 372 (45,43 percent) from Matabeleland South.
“Women continue to lead the truth-telling process, accounting for 15 200 testimonies (60,72 percent), while 9 834 (39,28 percent) were submitted by men. In addition, 74 chiefs have posted submissions on the online platform, demonstrating active engagement by traditional leadership structures,” said Mrs Mabiza.
While the programme remains flexible to ensure that no one is excluded, the Secretariat has outlined a tentative timeframe for concluding the public hearings.
Mrs Mabiza said the Steering Committee will carry out a comprehensive review in four months to determine when to shift to the final reporting phase.
“In approximately four months, the Steering Committee will conduct a comprehensive review of the progress made so far. Following this review, they will advise the National Council of Chiefs on the appropriate next steps, which will include transitioning to the reporting and recommendation stage,” she said.
She emphasised that the process remains firmly centred on victims.
“The determination of a definitive closing date for the public hearing phase rests with the Steering Committee, in consultation with the National Council of Chiefs . . . everyone who wishes to be heard will have that opportunity.”
On the issue of compensation for victims who lost property, livelihoods or breadwinners, Mrs Mabiza confirmed that the Government is already crafting the required legal and financial structures.
“We acknowledge that reparations, both individual and communal, are a central pillar of this process. To ensure interventions meaningfully address the concerns of those affected, the Government has initiated the development of legal and policy frameworks, informed by the testimonies collected,” she stated.
Mrs Mabiza assured the public that any measures adopted “will be grounded in verified evidence, ensuring they are equitable, responsive, and fully aligned with the needs of affected individuals and communities.”
She also dismissed reports claiming traditional leaders were unhappy with allowances or that victims were reluctant to participate. Mrs Mabiza described such assertions as “incorrect and misleading.”
“The Government has already allocated the necessary budget, and all obligations toward traditional leaders and participants are being fulfilled. Traditional leaders continue to provide invaluable support to the process, and their co-operation and dedication remain highly appreciated,” she said.
She reiterated that while reparations are essential, the accuracy and integrity of the information being documented remain paramount.
“The immediate priority is to ensure that the experiences of victims are fully recorded and verified. This approach protects the integrity of the process and ensures that resources reach those who have been legitimately affected,” she said.
The Gukurahundi outreach programme remains a key pillar of President Mnangagwa’s nation-building and unity agenda, reinforcing the vision of “leaving no one and no place behind” as Zimbabwe works towards lasting reconciliation.
