Memory and Erasure

<p class=ql-align-justify><em style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Memory and Erasure </em><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>is part of a growing body of academic literature to properly document and narrate the Gukurahundi genocide which hopefully may contribute to survivors and victims' families' quest for justice and closure. Deployed in January 1983 the Fifth Brigade's legacy has continued to cast a dark shadow not just over Matabeleland and Midlands but over the entire country. As the title of the book - and also the chapters - forcefully underline a culture of violence led by the state and those who control its levers pervades the whole of Zimbabwe and continues to do so partly because of the failure to address the Gukurahundi genocide and its aftermaths which marked the height of Zimbabwean authorities' tendency to use violence to crush dissent and opposition. </span></p><p> </p><p><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Collectively these essays explore different aspects of the Gukurahundi in order (1) to challenge the silencing of the genocide as a mainstream public issue in Zimbabwe (2) to demonstrate how deliberately and systematically Zimbabwe's rulers have refused to allow this issue to be resolved and have in the process completely disregarded the views demands feelings and sensitivities of affected individuals and communities (3) to explore and critique the institutional legal/ constitutional and political frameworks that have sustained the failure to find a solution (4) to demonstrate how Zimbabwe as a state bears collective responsibility for Gukurahundi crimes and should therefore hold itself accountable and institute a clear and honest programme to provide a lasting solution that does not lead to further division and (5) this collection emphasises in various ways that the solution to the political culture that has engulfed Zimbabwe and prevented it from attaining its independence goals lies in resolving the aftermath of Gukurahundi and addressing the culture of violence repression and impunity in Zimbabwean politics.</span></p><p> </p>