Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka–Zimpapers Politics Hub
FOR decades, the word “Gukurahundi” was whispered — a phantom limb of history that throbbed with unaddressed pain.
The issue remained a deeply sensitive and unspoken chapter of Zimbabwe’s history, with villagers in affected communities in Matabeleland and Midlands bearing scars not just on their landscapes, but also deep within the hearts..
They remembered the fear and the loss of loved ones.
For years, they had waited for an acknowledgment, a conversation and a path towards healing. Under the First Republic, this sensitive wound was largely left to fester in the national consciousness.
However, the advent of the Second Republic, under the leadership of President Mnangagwa, brought a new narrative, a declared commitment to confront the ghosts of the past.
In a move widely seen as breaking a long-standing taboo, President Mnangagwa officially launched the Gukurahundi public hearings programme in July of last year, empowering traditional leaders to lead the process.
This initiative, led by Chiefs Council of Zimbabwe president, Chief Mtshane Khumalo, aims to bring closure to past conflicts, aligning with the President’s vision of nation-building and fostering unity.
As custodians of their people’s history and welfare, the chiefs were empowered to lead discussions, gather testimonies and facilitate traditional healing processes.
Chiefs, custodians of their people’s history and welfare, were empowered to lead discussions, to gather testimonies, to facilitate traditional healing processes.
Significant progress is being made in the ongoing Gukurahundi hearings across Matabeleland North and South provinces, where traditional leaders are directly engaging affected communities.
As of August 13, 2025, some 4 935 submissions had been made by individuals and families affected by the Gukurahundi disturbances of the 1980s, with a breakdown of 2 639 from Matabeleland South and 2 296 from Matabeleland North.
Notably, a strong majority of the submissions have come from women, with female participants numbering 2 908 compared to 2 027 male participants.
This development, which the Government says reflects growing community engagement and trust, is a testament to the success of the national healing and reconciliation process.
Attorney-General Mrs Virginia Mabiza, who also heads the secretariat of the Matabeleland Peacebuilding Outreach Programme, said the level of participation was a key indicator of the initiative’s growing impact, adding that the programme’s success directly challenges its critics.
“The high volume of online submissions, particularly the notable participation of women, reflects growing community confidence in the integrity and inclusiveness of the outreach process,” said Mrs Mabiza
“The substantial rise in submissions, despite calls for a boycott from those attempting to undermine the process, demonstrates that these efforts have not resonated with local communities. People have opted for engagement instead of division.
“It demonstrates that communities are beginning to trust that their voices will be heard, respected and acted upon. We continue to ensure transparency in our operations, maintain close coordination with traditional leaders, and provide continuous community feedback.”
This progress was also confirmed by Chief Khumalo, who said that significant strides have been made, with all districts of the two affected provinces now covered.
He highlighted that people are testifying without fear, which he considers a clear sign of growing trust and reconciliation.
“There has been significant and encouraging progress in all districts of the two affected provinces, where the Gukurahundi public hearings are being held.
“Reports from the command indicate that all districts have now been covered, and no problems have been recorded during the process.
“We are heartened to see that people are coming out in great numbers to testify without fear, a clear sign that the initiative is fostering an environment of trust and reconciliation within the affected communities,” said Chief Khumalo.
The progress recorded so far indicates that the traditional leadership-led approach is gaining traction on the ground, a notable step forward in the long-awaited national healing and reconciliation initiative.
This success is particularly significant as it exhibits tangible progress in the Gukurahundi hearings and directly counters the sabotage efforts by some opposition political parties and their sympathisers who had earlier urged victims to boycott the process.
The initiative’s undeniable success, evidenced by the willingness of victims to come forward, has effectively neutralised these attempts at subversion.
Where there were once vocal calls for a boycott, there is now a noticeable silence from those opposition parties and their sympathisers.
This silence is a telling indication that their efforts to derail the healing and reconciliation process were in vain, proving that the communities’ desire for closure and justice is far more powerful than any political agenda.
Dialogues are now being initiated not just in the hushed halls of power, but in the very communities that had suffered.
Although the journey to address this issue is a long and arduous one, paved with unspoken grief and mistrust, the mere act of bringing it into the light through official engagement is a profound step for the victims, replacing decades of silence.
This commitment to confront historical injustices is not just about the past; it is a vital step toward building a more stable, inclusive, and united Zimbabwe for future generations.
This decisive leadership in addressing one of the nation’s most sensitive historical wounds is a hallmark of President Mnangagwa’s tenure.
His vision is not merely to acknowledge past conflicts, but to actively work toward their resolution, fostering an environment of trust and reconciliation.
The initiative shows a Government committed to nation-building, where confronting historical injustices is a vital step toward a stable and prosperous future.
Furthermore, credit must be given to President Mnangagwa for his profound trust in the nation’s traditional leaders.
By empowering them to spearhead the hearings, he has ensured that the process is not just a top-down Government exercise, but a genuine grassroots initiative.
This strategic move has been instrumental in gaining the confidence of affected communities, allowing victims to come forward and share their stories in an environment of safety and respect, thus paving the way for authentic national healing.
