THE ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCE OF FULEZA GIBSON “NDAWANA” SIBANDA

25^th July 2023

By Michelle Nokuthaba Mpofu

Now that I am beyond the reach of the murderous regime in Zimbabwe, I can tell the story of the enforced disappearance of my maternal grandfather, Fuleza Gibson “Ndawana” Sibanda.

My name is Michelle Nokuthaba Mpofu. I am the daughter of Sindisiwe Sibanda, daughter of Fuleza Gibson “Ndawana” Sibanda.

Fuleza Gibson “Ndawana” Sibanda disappeared at the hands of Zimbabwean state machinery at the height of the Gukurahundi genocide in Matabeleland in Zimbabwe.

Fuleza Gibson “Ndawana” Sibanda was abducted by four men, two of whom were in Police uniform and two in civilian attire on 3^rd November 1985, at the Brethren in Christ Church in Mpopoma, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

He was never to be seen again.

This state-sponsored tragedy left a permanent scar on our family and the community.

The impact of Fuleza Gibson “Ndawana” Sibanda's disappearance was felt not only by his immediate family but also by us, his grandchildren. The fear of being abducted became a constant worry, and our family was never able to heal from the trauma of losing our loved one in such circumstances.

To this day, there is no information about Sibanda’s whereabouts or well-being. This uncertainty and lack of closure are incredibly distressing to us as a family.

The distress is ongoing, and the psychological impact on us is indescribable. The spectre of enforced disappearance hovers over us daily.

Sibanda's disappearance affected his wife, our grandmother, who struggled to take care of their children, who were left without a provider. The children had to grow up without a father figure. This gravely affected my grandmother’s ability to provide emotional support to her children, my mother included.

The trauma of Sibanda's abduction also affected us, his grandchildren. Not only because we never got to meet our grandfather but also because we live in fear of a repeat of what happened to our grandfather. The fear of being abducted or losing a loved one remains a constant worry, which affects our mental health and well-being. 

We grew up in an environment where the government could take people away and make them disappear without a trace. We are made to feel helpless, especially because there is no recourse to the law as the judiciary is captured.

This instilled a deep sense of fear and mistrust in the government.

The abduction of Sibanda is one of many cases of enforced disappearances in Zimbabwe. Families are left without closure, and the perpetrators are never held accountable. The lack of justice exacerbates the trauma of the families and undermines the rule of law.

The Zimbabwean government must take responsibility for the enforced disappearances and bring the perpetrators to justice. Families deserve closure, and justice is essential for healing and rebuilding trust in the government.

The abduction of Fuleza Gibson Ndawana Sibanda had a profound impact on our family and the community. The trauma of his disappearance continues to affect our family up to this day.

It is essential that the Zimbabwean government take responsibility for enforced disappearances and bring perpetrators to justice to ensure that no family must endure this type of trauma again.

Note

The story of Fuleza Gibson Ndawana Sibanda was covered by the main newspapers in Zimbabwe back then and also in a book entitled “Voices from the Rocks: Nature, Culture and History in the Matopos Hills of Zimbabwe” by Terence Osborn Ranger.

About the author

Michelle Nokuthaba Mpofu is a human rights activist and a member of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe based in the United Kingdom. She can be contacted by email at michellempofu11@gmail.com.