National youth service training - Solidarity Peace Trust

G. Youth militia accounts of their own activities
In the course of the last two years, many thousands of youth have passed through formal National
Service Training. From among this number, scores of statements have been taken by human rights
organisations and journalists as to conditions in the camps and experiences of the youth themselves
during training and deployment. So far this report has focused mainly on the youth militia as others see
them, but it seems fitting to give them the last word.
More than a score of detailed interviews that the authors have on record from youth militia, together
with a review of media coverage on militia experiences, provided resource material for the following
general summary of training and activities from the point of view of those in the camps. 177
Two narratives have been chosen for inclusion as appendices, to give specific insight into how youths
themselves are reporting on their experiences. It is hoped that by providing access both to a few
individual histories, as well as by summarising general findings from the interviews, the reader can
gain a picture of the camps.
Recruitment
What has become apparent through discussions with those who have completed the training, is that a
sizeable number were coerced into the training, and that the training and activities during deployment
have deeply traumatised the youth militia themselves. 178
Others entered the training voluntarily, either because their parents are staunch ZANU-PF supporters
who wanted them to do so, or because they believed the rhetoric that promised them skills training and
jobs at the end of such training. 179 In a country with little prospects for school leavers, and in a
situation where those few prospects are being effectively reduced to nil without the militia training
certificate, many may have seen youth training as the only way forward.
While there are doubtless thousands of youth who have enjoyed the enormous power and impunity that
comes with their green uniforms, there are others who have fled from the militia camps in a state of
horror or shame. 180 The authors interviewed 6 out of one group of 24 defected militia living on the
streets of Johannesburg as refugees, who fled Zimbabwe in order to escape their roles as youth militia.
These youth, aged between 17 and 22, expressed varying degrees of anger, depression and alienation
when reviewing their youth militia experiences. One fled after being forced to take part in the murder
of his own uncle, another after taking part in the murder of a local MDC chairperson. In one case, the
youth’s mother gave him money to flee when they both agreed that he could no longer continue with
his militia activities.
177 Daily News, Harare,17 April 2003, “Mugabe’s recruits flee brutal militia past”; Daily News, 12 March 2003, “Green
Bombers flee to SA”; Zimbabwe Independent, Harare,7 March 2003, “Zanu-PF officials accused of raping militia trainees”;
Daily News, 1 March 2003, “Gang rape rampant at youth training centres”; Daily News, 5 December 2002, “Women protest
against abuse in Zanu PF camps”; Daily News, 28 August 2002, “Rape of the innocents”.
178 See appendix 4, interview 1 for one case example of coercion into training.
179 See appendix 4, interview 2 for one case example of voluntary training
180 ibid, interview 2 talks of the power and the fact that most militia enjoy it.
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