Gukurahundi victims free to testify without intimidation

Source: Gukurahundi victims free to testify without intimidation – herald

Gibson Mhaka

Zimpapers Politics Hub

Chiefs Council president, Chief Mtshane Khumalo, has allayed fears surrounding the historic Gukurahundi hearings, which started yesterday, emphasising that victims are free to come forward and testify without fear.

He assured the victims that there will be no intimidation, despite allegations made by some opposition political parties.

The call for participation comes after certain opposition parties and political movements urged victims to boycott the process, alleging widespread fears of intimidation and potential harassment for those who choose to testify.

“What we are looking forward to is the success of the process and for people to come forward,” Chief Khumalo said.

“We have had meetings with these political parties and several stakeholders from the Matabeleland region. They were asked about the best approach and we received a document with their proposals and views, which were captured.

“So, what they are saying now is exactly the opposite of what they were saying a couple of weeks ago. However, we believe we must find out what the people are truly saying and our mission is to continue with the process and we expect to get feedback from the community.”

Addressing these specific fears, Chief Khumalo stated that Zimbabwe was a democratic country where everyone had a right to express themselves and assured those prepared to testify that they should do so without fear.

“We have already been approached by the traditional leaders, who confirmed that people should not be afraid, as they should be aware they are being protected,” said Chief Khumalo.

“If anyone makes a follow-up after their testimony, it is an offence, and if they are being abused for testifying, those accusing or harassing them can be prosecuted.

“That is the assurance we have: That they can do so without fear . . . So, those who want to testify can do so voluntarily and without fear, as no one will harass or intimidate them,” said Chief Khumalo.

“Testifying is someone’s right, so there is no need for them to be harassed. We also don’t force people to come as this is done on a voluntary basis.”

Chiefs Council vice president Chief Fortune Charumbira, also echoed Chief Khumalo’s sentiments regarding the ongoing Gukurahundi hearings, stating that the process is designed for victims to testify without fear of intimidation.

“There are distortions. First of all, the approach, which we are taking is not new.

“Over the past three years, we first had a stakeholder consultation and we have about 30 groups from Bulawayo and Matabeleland, composed of political parties and NGOs.

“They were asked the best approach and we had a document from their proposals – a stakeholder consultation report – from their views, and they were captured, and we presented it publicly to the President when he came to the State House in Bulawayo in July last year.

“What they should know is that they didn’t say similar views, they were different views. So, after that, we then went to the next stage, which was methodology and approach, which is very elaborate.

“What we are doing now is that we are following that methodology, and what people should know is all these reports before presentation to President Mnangagwa were presented to chiefs  and we also sought their validations, and they endorsed the methodology,” explained Chief Charumbira.

Detailing the composition and operation of the hearing panels, Chief Charumbira further clarified: “When we talk of a panel of members, 13, and the chief being the 14th, that whole idea came up with the chiefs themselves from the two provinces after discussions and they agreed why the number should be 13, saying they are people, particularly elders, pastors or religious leaders, women, youths from their local communities,” he said.

“What should be emphasised is that each chief will conduct hearings in their own areas of jurisdiction, and then, a chief, there is no case in which he presides while alone, and it will be heard before the full panel.

“A chief is just a presiding officer. So, there will be no suspicion that people on the panellists will be coming from other areas or communities. All these were trained and were from the same area, and they know each other.”

Chief Charumbira also emphasised the voluntary and supportive nature of the testimonies.

“It won’t be private per se, the victim will select his or her own people.

“There is no limit to the number of people to come with the victim, and all these were recorded in the manual, which was approved and validated by the chiefs from the two provinces,” said Chief Charumbira.

Last month, Matabeleland chiefs launched a critical outreach programme, engaging headmen and village heads across their jurisdictions — marking a significant step towards the Gukurahundi public hearings.

The outreach was aimed at briefing fellow traditional leaders on the upcoming hearings.

The initiative spearheaded by President Mnangagwa’s Second Republic seeks to address and bring closure to the post-independence disturbances that affected Matabeleland and parts of Midlands Province.