The Zimbabwe government, under pressure from survivors of Matabeleland massacres and human rights groups, has made a u-turn on its controversial decision to invite the North Korean football team to camp in Bulawayo before the World Cup in South Africa.

By Thabo Kunene

According to human rights groups, between 20 000 and 30 000 opposition supporters were massacred by the five brigade troops trained by North Korean instructors in 1981.

Human rights groups and families of those who died during the post-independence massacres in Matabeleland and Midlands provinces had threatened to bring the city to a halt if the North Koreans ever visited Bulawayo, the capital of Matabeleland.

The decision to cancel the trip was announced by the Tourism minister Walter Mzembi during a business conference in Bulawayo last night. The minister said the government took into considerations the concerns of the local Ndebele people and human rights campaigners who described the invitation as an insult to the region.

‘Its true the North Koreans are not coming to Bulawayo any more. You have nothing to worry about, minister of state Gorden Moyo told journalists in Bulawayo.

Effie Ncube of the Matabeleland Reform Agenda told Radio Netherlands Worldwide the government’s latest decision was a victory for the people of Matabeleland who lost many of its bread-winners during the killings in the 80s.

“Even if the government has cancelled the visit by the North Korean team, we will continue mobilising until the World Cup in case they change their minds,” said Ncube.

He says Matabeleland political parties, church leaders and survivors from the massacre will team up with Zimbabwean exiles in South Africa and stage protests outside venues where the Korean team will play. The North Koreans were scheduled to play friendly matches in Bulawayo and Harare next month before proceeding to South Africa.