VILLAGERS in Lupane district, Matabeleland North were recently caught unawares by an army field training exercise which got many into panic and saying the presence of the military in the villages evoked memories of the 1980s massacres.
The Zimbabwe National Army’s 1.2 infantry battalion conducted the field training exercise from September 19 to 26.
Some villagers and critics of the spectacle said the army field training evoked memories of Gukurahundi, that forgettable military campaign by the North Korean trained Fifth Brigade which left thousands dead in the Midlands and Matabeleland region.
Lupane is one of the districts in Matabeleland that bore the brunt of the killings perpetrated by the soldiers.
At least 20 000 civilians in Matabeleland North, South and Midlands were killed during the massacres.
To date, villagers in the district continue to stumble on remains of the deceased in shallow graves, especially during the rainy season when dogs dig up the bones.
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MRP leader, Mqondisi Moyo, said while there was nothing wrong about the field training, the ZNA top brass ought to have informed the villagers about their coming to allay any fears.
“The military presence, marked by bush patrols and gunfire, left villagers deeply frightened," Moyo said.
"This is particularly concerning given Zimbabwe's history of abusing its security sector for political expediency, which has led to widespread human rights abuses."
He said the army's presence in areas such as St George, Khwarai, Tshongogwe, Mzola, Dandanda, Cross Jotsholo, Sibombo, Tiki, and Bhangali sparked fear among locals.
"Villagers have also reported being questioned about their knowledge of Mthwakazi, a separatist movement seeking autonomy for the region," Moyo claimed.
"The Mthwakazi people have suffered greatly in the past, and their concerns must be recognised and addressed.
Amnesty International said: “The 1980s Gukurahundi massacres saw systematic and widespread campaign of violence, severe torture, and property destruction resulting in over 40,000 extrajudicial executions, thousands of disappearances, and hundreds of thousands of torture cases."
The ZNA was forced to issue a statement about the field training exercise last weekend following the concerns raised by villagers and the MRP.
ZNA public relations directorate Colonel Alphios Makotore said the ZNA was conducting a medical outreach exercise in the community of Lupane.
He said that was part of the army's routine training exercise.
The ZNA' One infantry Brigade last week conducted a field training exercise with the 1.2 infantry Battalion spearheading the exercise which took place in Lupane district from 19 September to 26,” Makotere said.
“During the exercise the Brigade's Field Ambulance Company carried out a successful medical outreach programme in the Jotsholo area.”
He said the initiative brought together health and medical professionals from the brigade and local healthcare providers at Jotsholo Clinic, where they delivered healthcare services to the community.
He said the army provided free health services and treatment to more than 500 community members.