The Gukurahundi period caused a huge divide which still exists today in Zimbabwe.
Since the late 1987s, Zimbabweans in Matebeleland have grieved the injustices of the Gukurahundi massacres. Many Ndebele people were massacred during this period starting in 1983. Fast forward to 2021, the Gukurahundi issue was not addressed and neither were victims compensated. The attitude regards to this issue has lead to Zimbabweans feeling like Matebeleland people are already sabotaging the 2023 elections.
This is about to change as the President met with members of the National Council of Chiefs on the 21 August 2021 . The aim was to receive recommendations to resolve the issues related to Gukurahundi. It has been resolved that each Chief will spear head the resolution of the issue in his or her area of jurisdiction.
President Mnangagwa has engaged the various chiefs as he believes the one size fits all approach will not work. The chiefs will be assigned the task of dealing with the problems raised by their respective communities. As soon as any chief is ready, the president will deploy the needed resources for that area.
Key issues that have so far been raised include include identity documentation such as birth, national IDs and deaths certificates, underdevelopment and marginalisation of Matabeleland region, national healing and reconciliation as well as national building, counselling and psychological support, consultation of victims, exhumations, burials and memorials, reparations and compensation and social social security benefits.
Other compensatory measures being taken by the President include the compensation of white farmers for the land they lost.
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