In 1983, Mathew Kazembe (not his real name) was part of Zimbabwe's notorious Fifth Brigade army unit that massacred over 20 000 civilians - members of the country's ethnic minorities living in the opposition strongholds of Matabeleland and parts of the Midlands provinces. A few weeks ago, Kazembe returned to ask for forgiveness.
During his unexpected visit to the villages of Lupane district in northern Matabeleland, Kazembe did not only apologise to survivors and families of those who perished at the hands of the Fifth Brigade. He also asked permission to adopt five children from one village and pay for their education until they finished high school.
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