In October 2006 Shamuyarira sparked outrage when he praised the Gukurahundi, a series of state-sponsored massacres in the 1980s, in response to the South African government's attempts to infiltrate Zimbabwe with disgruntled units of ZAPU, called Super ZAPU, as part of Operation Drama. These elements also killed white farmers to grab international headlines. Nathan Shamuyarira stated, that the "actions of the North Korea-trained Five Brigade that killed around 3000 civilians and militants in the Matabeleland and Midlands provinces during political disturbances in the 1980s were not regrettable as [the Five Brigade was] doing a job to protect the people.
In October 2006 Shamuyarira sparked controversy when he defended the Gukurahundi, a series of state-sponsored atrocities in the 1980s, in response to South Africa's efforts to infiltrate Zimbabwe with dissatisfied ZAPU units. He also praised the killing of white farmers to draw international attention. Shamuyarira claimed that the North Korea-trained Five Brigade's actions, which resulted in the deaths of around 3000 civilians and militants in Matabeleland and Midlands provinces during the 1980s, were justified as they were protecting the people from perceived threats.