Mugabe pledges compensation for army atrocities

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe reportedly told traditional leaders at the weekend that he will establish a committee to consider compensation for victims of atrocities committed by his troops in Matabeleland between 1982 and 1987. It is estimated that as many as 20,000 Ndebele-speaking Zimbabweans were killed by the army’s North Korean-trained 5th Brigade in a bid to crush a rebellion by guerrillas loyal to the late Joshua Nkomo. Mugabe reportedly said: “Our critics are saying government’s talk to compensate the people of Matabeleland and Midlands is politicking, but let me assure you that since we are a government that is people-oriented and take their interest seriously, we have a role to fulfil what we promise.”