Tinotenda Hove – In a significant move toward national reconciliation, Zimbabwe will commence the long-awaited Gukurahundi hearings on June 26, 2025. Spearheaded by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration, the hearings mark a pivotal step in confronting past atrocities while laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and unified society.

The Gukurahundi massacres, which occurred in the 1980s, remain one of the most painful and unresolved chapters in Zimbabwe’s post-independence history. Thousands of civilians, primarily from the Matabeleland and Midlands provinces, were killed in what has widely been described as a state-sponsored campaign. For decades, these events were shrouded in silence, denial, and deep national trauma.

President Mnangagwa’s decision to initiate public hearings demonstrates a renewed political will to address historical injustices transparently. By opening up this process to affected communities and stakeholders, the government aims to prioritize truth-telling, healing, and justice—core principles that underpin Zimbabwe’s path to reconciliation.

These hearings are not only about revisiting the past but also about shaping the future. As part of the broader Vision 2030 agenda, which seeks to transform Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income country by the end of the decade, acknowledging and healing historical wounds is recognized as a foundational step. National unity, inclusivity, and peace are seen as essential components of sustainable development and prosperity.

Transparency will be a cornerstone of the Gukurahundi process. Civil society organizations, traditional leaders, survivors, and ordinary citizens are expected to participate and bear witness to testimonies that have long been suppressed. The government’s commitment to an open, victim-centered approach signals an important departure from past practices of exclusion and silence.

As Zimbabwe prepares for this historic moment, hopes are high that the Gukurahundi hearings will offer not just acknowledgment of past suffering, but also a framework for restorative justice. In doing so, the nation moves closer to healing divisions and building a future where all Zimbabweans, regardless of ethnicity or background, can thrive together.