A third memorial plaque in honour of victims of Gukurahundi atrocities has been installed at Bhalagwe Gukurahundi mass graves site disused mine in Maphisa district in Matebeleland South.
The Bulawayo-based pressure group Ibhetshu Likazulu previously erected similar plaques but they have been pulled down by suspected state security agents.
The group Coordinator Mbuso Fuzwayo said three chiefs and several headmen attended the function. Thousands of people who were killed during the Gukurahundi atrocities were buried at the concentration camp in mass graves.
Fuzwayo said: “The event went very well. Three chiefs including the local chief Fuyane, Chief Mathema and chief Dakamela from Nkayi attended the function. Victims of the atrocities as well as their children also attended the event.”
He commended the police for not meddling with the memorial installation. He said,“Each time when we try to erect the plagues, we always have problems with the police. I am happy this time around they did not interfere with our programme”
Fuzwayo said he was also happy that the plaque remained intact as of Monday evening. Last month,MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa decried the vandalism and destruction of the plaques. Adding that
“Memory and history cannot be vandalised. The state must take responsibility and genuinely apologise…”
Earlier this year, Fuzwayo was detained by the police for holding the International Day of Peace commemorations.