Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka
Zimpapers Politics Hub
NEARLY 10 000 submissions have been recorded since the commencement of the ongoing Gukurahundi hearings targeting victims in Matabeleland provinces where traditional leaders are directly engaging affected families.
President Mnangagwa officially launched the Gukurahundi public hearings programme in July last year and hearings began in full swing in June this year with traditional leaders empowered to conduct the hearings.
The Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa has demonstrated a strong commitment to facilitating lasting healing and reconciliation that brings closure to past conflicts.
Zimpapers has gathered that as of September 3, 2025, the latest data highlights continued community participation and underscores the scale of the ongoing documentation efforts.
Official figures indicate that a total of 9 025 submissions have been recorded to date. Of these 203 online submissions were received from Binga District in Matabeleland North, with 107 of these accompanied by audio testimonies.
The report indicates that Chiefs Siachilaba, Sinamusanga and Sinakatenge are leading the local documentation efforts, having contributed 57, 77 and 69 forms respectively, as the evidence-gathering phase intensifies.
The total number of chiefs who have posted on the online platform now stands at 70, reflecting the broad involvement of traditional leadership in the process.
Overall statistics show a near-equal distribution of submissions between the two provinces, with Matabeleland South accounting for 4 536 submissions (50,26 percent) and Matabeleland North contributing 4 489 (49,74 percent).
The data also shows a strong female participation rate, with women constituting 5 412 (59,97 percent) of the total submissions against 3 613 from men (40,03 percent).
As of September 3, 2025, a total of 864 audios had been transcribed since the programme’s inception, with 35 transcribed on that day alone.
Responding to questions on the programme’s timeline and scope, Attorney-General Mrs Virginia Mabiza, who is also head of the secretariat of the Matabeleland Peacebuilding Outreach Programme, said the final report and recommendations will only be drafted after the “transcription, translation, and verification of testimonies” are complete.
She said the programme remains in the evidence-gathering phase, with no date yet set for the final report.
“Our immediate priority is the transcription, translation, and verification of testimonies. Only once this process is complete will we proceed to analyse the evidence and draft our recommendations,” said Mrs Mabiza.
National Chiefs Council president, Chief Mtshane Khumalo, confirmed that the process is proceeding smoothly.
He expressed satisfaction with the progress, noting that community engagement has been strong and that the traditional leaders are effectively leading the documentation efforts in their respective areas.
“The process is going on smoothly on the ground. We are very satisfied with the progress. Community engagement has been strong, and the traditional leaders are effectively leading the documentation efforts in their respective areas,” said Chief Khumalo.
