Lupane villagers have unearthed human remains of suspected Gukurahundi genocide victims, National Healing co-minister Moses Mzila-Ndlovu revealed last week.
Mzila-Ndlovu said the remains were discovered at Silwane Primary School in Matabeleland North Province.
Apparently, Lupane bore the brunt of the 1980s Gukurahundi massacres, which left an estimated 20 000 people in Matabeleland and Midlands dead and thousands others internally displaced.
The alleged discovery has reignited sad moments for the villagers who, according to Mzila-Ndlovu, have called for government to immediately exhume the remains and rebury them properly.
Mzila-Ndlovu told a Bulawayo Agenda-organised meeting in the city last Friday, villagers had invited him to visit the area and view the unpleasant spectacle.
“Gukurahundi was a terrible phenomenon for the people of this region and we realise that remains of the victims of the genocide can be discovered anywhere in the region,” he said.
“Today, as we speak, there are remains of suspected genocide victims which are emerging close to classroom blocks at Silwane Primary School in Lupane.”
Mzila-Ndlovu said he was called by the concerned parents to visit the school, before the police interrupted his national healing programmes early this year.
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He said he saw remains of human ribs protruding from underground near a classroom block.
“Surely this is the reason why this issue is now gaining momentum,” said Mzila-Ndlovu.
“Marginalisation of Matabeleland was not a mistake, but was deliberate. Gukurahundi was implemented as part of the programme. Soldiers were sent to eliminate relatives of most of the Zipra comrades.”
He said he was lobbying government to exhume the remains and rebury them.
Mzila-Ndlovu is on bail following his arrest for allegedly conducting illegal national healing meetings in Matabeleland North.
