Cry Zimbabwe

Cry Zimbabwe: Independence – Twenty Years On by Peter Stiff is a hard-hitting political analysis of Zimbabwe two decades after gaining independence in 1980. Published in 2000, the book explores how the promise of freedom gave way to authoritarian rule under Robert Mugabe.

Stiff covers a wide range of controversial and deeply impactful events, including election manipulation, the Gukurahundi massacres carried out by the Fifth Brigade in Matabeleland, the suppression of political opposition, land invasions, and widespread violence. Through firsthand accounts, research, and historical context, he paints a grim portrait of a country in turmoil.

Spanning 496 pages, the book is richly illustrated and provides a detailed, unapologetic look at the cost of Zimbabwe’s political trajectory. It’s an important read for anyone interested in southern African history, post-colonial governance, and human rights issues.