4. The 1987 Unity Accord In 1987, there were talks of unity between ZANU(PF) and PF-ZAPU. In the midst of the talks, the CCJP released a confidential document on Torture in Zimbabwe. This document revealed the shocking degree of torture committed by agents of the state that had been a closely guarded state secret. Between April and November, raids and killings increased rapidly. PF-ZAPU was banned and its offices raided. Its officials were arrested and detained. It was in the midst of these activities that a peace accord was announced. On 22 December 1987, the Unity Accord was signed by Joshua Nkomo and Robert Mugabe; another attempt at building peace. PF-ZAPU members of parliament were merged with ZANU(PF) and the Whites lost their quota of seats. Only one MP, from ZANU (Ndonga), remained as the opposition. On the surface, the Accord was a positive development because it stopped the massacres in Matabeleland, but questions were raised whether it really brought peace or just silence. Some have called it a unity of the leaders as there was no consideration of the victims. The atmosphere leading to the signing of the Accord and around the venue of the ceremony showed that democracy was going to be sacrificed. Supporters of ZANU(PF) converged at the conference centre where the document was signed, singing revolutionary songs. The message was very clear: “Tamirira one-party state, yeJongwe.” [“We now await a one-party state under ZANU(PF)”]. The next opposition would only emerge from within ZANU(PF) in 1990. Former ZANU(PF) politician and ally of Mugabe, Edgar Tekere, formed the Zimbabwe Unity Movement (ZUM) and opposed Robert Mugabe’s drive at perpetuating a one-party state. He stood against Robert Mugabe in the 1990 Presidential election, winning only 17% of the vote after a campaign marked by intimidation that prevented him from campaigning in large areas of the country. At the simultaneous Parliamentary elections, the Parliament was suddenly enlarged to 150 members from 80, with 120 elected and 30 appointed by the President. ZUM won 20% of the vote but only three seats in Parliament. ZUM supporters were the target of violent attacks from supporters of ZANU(PF) and five candidates were murdered. A student representative of ZUM, Israel Mutanhaurwa, was abducted in broad daylight by suspected state agents at the local cinemas in Gweru and was later found dumped (but unharmed) on the outskirts of Mkoba. No one was arrested or convicted of the crime. 5. Civil Society The political developments after independence highlighted to civic groups and the labour movement the need to hold government accountable. In 1984, the Legal Resources Foundation (LRF), a Charitable and Educational Trust was established to promote human rights through paralegal, educational and publications programmes. The work of the LRF would become critical in pushing for justice and accountability. As soon as the LRF opened its rural legal advice centre in Lupane in Matabeleland North in 1990, it was confronted with the unaddressed realities and effects of the Matabeleland atrocities 4 Taking Transitional Justice to the People – Outreach Report