*THE CHAONA MASSACRE OF 2008* . On the 4th of May 2008, over a dozen trucks carrying groups of ZANU PF militia, systematically sponsored by Saviour Kasukuwere, stormed Chaona in Chiweshe. The militia members belonged to different terror gangs, but notable ones were from the Border Gezi group, who wore an olive green uniform, and others from the Paraquat they wore T Shirts inscribed "Paraquat", a gang that belonged to Saviour Kasukuwere. But on the day of the attack on Chaona villagers, the groups were led by and under the command of Retired Major General Cairo Mhandu, a former soldier. They camped at Chaona Primary School in preparation for a brutal assault on innocent civilians the next day. The brutality that followed had to be seen to be believed. Major General Mhandu instructed his thugs to spread a message to the villagers, ordering anyone and everyone to be at Chaona Primary School by 5 a.m. The villagers were threatened with violence and arson attacks should they fail to show up at the meeting. The next day, on the 5th of May 2008, villagers across Chiweshe arrived at Chaona Primary School. Fearing for their lives, they had to show up. And to some, this would be their last day alive. When the villagers finally gathered at Chaona Primary School, Mhandu told the crowd that "this community needs to be taught a lesson." He ordered the villagers that they must come forward and confess their links and association with the opposition. The crowd was terrified, and no one stepped forward. After a brief moment of silence, ZANU PF youths grabbed a 76-year-old woman from the crowd and ordered her to lie in front of the crowd on her stomach. They started beating her with sjamboks and sticks on her buttocks. After some minutes, three men came forward and said they were opposition supporters, just to save the old lady from the beatings. What ensued next was an egregious frenzy of brutality. Over 70 villagers were indiscriminately and severely beaten. Grown men and women groaned in unspeakable pain, cried, and begged for mercy. But no one listened. Their crime was that they had voted for the opposition on the 29th of March general election. It was also a terror campaign intended to discourage them from voting for the opposition in the run-off election, which was scheduled to take place on Friday the 27th of June 2008. Six men tragically died from the brutal beatings and torture that took place that day. Two of them, Tapiwa Meda and Alex Chirisiri, died on the spot after the beatings. Joseph Madzuramhende died later that day after they had squeezed and crushed his genitals, tying them with a wire. Geoffrey Jemedze and Wilson Emmanuel died at Avenues Clinic on Friday the 9th of May 2008. Fushirai Dofu died on Saturday the 10th of May 2008 at Howard Hospital. Not only were six murders committed, but also over 30 attempted murders of people who were hospitalized at Howard Hospital, Concession Hospital, and Avenues Clinic. Tens of cases of grievous bodily harm were also committed during the torture sessions. 5 May 2025 marked exactly 17 years since the Chaona attack. No investigations were conducted, and no arrests were made by the Zimbabwe Republic Police for the crimes against humanity that were committed in Chiweshe. No one was ever brought to justice for the deaths of Joseph Madzuramhende, Tapiwa Meda, Alex Chirisiri, Geoffrey Jemedze, Wilson Emmanuel, and Fushirai Dofu. Rest in peace, dear comrades. You paid the ultimate price for a noble cause to see a free Zimbabwe, and your names shall forever be inscribed on the corridors of history. You are not forgotten. *By* *Ngoni Danzva*