POLICE on Saturday blocked commemorations scheduled for Silobela, Midlands province, which were intended to remember 10 victims killed in the area during the Gukurahundi era.
The move has sparked concern among victims’ families and activists, who say it undermines ongoing calls for truth, justice and national healing over the 1983–87 atrocities.
The commemorations were meant to honour the memory of the victims, now referred to as the “Silobela 10,” and to allow their families to publicly grieve and demand answers over their disappearance.
Ibhetshu LikaZulu secretary-general, Mbuso Fuzwayo, confirmed the developments.
“We are concerned that the police have blocked the event. It was aimed at giving the Silobela community and the families of the abducted and forcibly disappeared victims an opportunity to mark this day on January 31, 2026,” he said.
“The 10 are Enoch Mthelo Tshuma, Mbulawa Mnkandla, Simon Siginya Bhozho Dube, Lambert Ncube, Milton Ndlangamandla, Patrick Mthethwa, Dennis Mabhikwa, Mika Kefasi Ndebele, Clement Baleni and Velile Hlongwane.”
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Fuzwayo said their disappearance was calculated to remain a permanent wound to their families.
“These innocent men were members of the community and Zimbabweans deserving protection like all citizens. To date, there is no record of what happened to them and why.”
He said they would continue to plead with authorities for the truth and the restoration of justice.
“Lest we forget, these 10 men were innocent and what happened to them cannot be erased from the memories of their relatives. We continue to remember all victims of the Gukurahundi massacres, torture, ethnic cleansing and forced disappearance,” Fuzwayo said.
He underscored the need for justice for the “Silobela 10.”
Gukurahundi Midlands Chapter co-ordinator in Silobela, Maqhawe Moyo, added: “We aimed to commemorate the victims and survivors of the Gukurahundi era, but we were blocked by the police, who cited the maintenance of peace, order and security.”
He noted that President Emmerson Mnangagwa had given the green light for people to speak openly about Gukurahundi to bring closure.
“What is surprising now is that in Matabeleland region, this issue is being addressed through their chiefs taking a leading role, but here in Midlands, people are being denied that opportunity,” he said.
The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace report estimates that over 20 000 people were killed when the North Korea-trained 5 Brigade rolled into Matabeleland and Midlands provinces between 1983 and 1987 to quell an insurgency, although critics argue that the operation was aimed at consolidating political power and pushing towards a one-party State.
The late former President Robert Mugabe described Gukurahundi as a “moment of madness” but did not apologise for the killings.