Thread by @Wamagaisa

1. Today’s reading is from Wages of War, A Report on Human Rights by the Lawyers Committe for Human Rights (1986). The excerpts give context to the reaction following the demise of a former general, Perrance Shiri who was commander of the 5th Brigade during #Gukurahundi

2. “This period was the darkest hour in Zimbabwe’s brief history. It was characterised by the most serious abuses of human rights since the end of the civil war, including by far the largest number of summary executions of civilians” page 33 #Gukurahundi

3. “5th Brigade soldiers would arrive in a village, heavily armed ... They showed a readiness to beat the villagers for the information, using sticks, clubs, rifle butts and bayonets ... Many women and girls showed signs of having been raped” page 34 #Gukurahundi

4. “A 5 year old girl named Anna said she had been bayoneted by soldiers in a village near Nkayi; she had a gaping wound in her left side to prove it. A 61 year old man said he had been shot twice by soldiers but feared [going] hospital because “the soldiers might get me again”

5. “Tactics used by the 5th Brigade were much the same as those used by Rhodesians forces during the civil war. Targeted areas, e.g. were placed under dusk to dawn curfews. Violators of the curfew were liable to be shot on sight.” #Gukurahundi

6. “The facts point to a reign of terror caused by wanton killings, woundings, beatings, burnings and ratings. People in rural areas are starving not only because of the drought but because in some cases supplies of food have been deliberately cut off ...” #Gukurahundi

7. “The government has never acknowledged that large numbers of civilians were killed or wounded. It has responded to reports of abuses by denouncing the reporters, be they foreign journalists or the Catholic Bishops”

8. “Results of the inquiry have never been made public. Emmerson Mnangagwa, State Security Minister said “That was a ministerial study. It’s is not for public consumption. It was made at the request of the PM. The government has no plans to release the results of that Commission”

9. “The indications are that the deceased were tied with pieces of fibre, were got down on the ground and repeatedly stabbed with bayonets, much as a hunter slaughtering a wounded animal with a spear ...” Magistrate George Geddes describing victims at an inquest

10. “The CIO is another key player ... accused of torturing detainees and implicated in abductions of ZAPU officials. Responsibility for the CIO is placed with the Minister of State Security in the PM’s Office, Emmerson Mnangagwa ...”

11. “Fifteen 5th Brigade soldiers descended on a village on the Silongwe line in Tsholotsho. They herded some 2 dozen people into a thatch-roof but and set it on fire. 21 people were burned alive, including 9 women & 6 children according to a witness who survived the incident”

12. A society which does not acknowledge, accept & atone for its horrors cannot make progress. It is crass and disrespectful when some hoist their heroes on a pedestal while ignoring the plight of victims & survivors.