President Emmerson Mnangagwa has berated some opposition parties and foreign countries who he accused of using the emotive Gukurahundi genocide to gain political mileage.
Mnangagwa was speaking at the Bulawayo State House, Monday where he launched a community engagement programme, which marked the beginning of a chiefs-driven programme which will see the traditional leaders consulting and dialoguing with their communities on Gukurahundi.
“The Gukurahundi issue has provided fertile ground for those who seek to retain us in a locked position of perpetual conflict and acrimony,” Mnangagwa said.
“Some political formations have sought to use the Gukurahundi issue as a political weapon which they deploy in the regions of Matabeleland and Midlands in order to gain political mileage for selfish political ends.
“You will have noted that whenever we approach elections external forces using political parties which they control, make a concerted effort to incite citizens to engage in divisive conduct, ostensibly all under the quest of achieving what they term justice for the region.
“To the external detractors who seek to maintain Gukurahundi as a perennial fountain of conflict, I say to you lingena ngaphi (where do you come in). This is a matter for Zimbabweans and shall be resolved by the people of Zimbabwe.
“These mischievous actors have not succeeded and they will not succeed. As Zimbabweans, we have continued to boldly seek the path of peace and dialogue as a way of resolving all the issues that confront us.”
Mnangagwa went on to say his government will not allow any external forces to interfere with internal processes, particularly the Gukurahundi redressing.
“For too long, we have let our differences hinder our collective development. We have allowed external forces with hostile intentions towards this country to dictate to us how we should conduct our affairs and relationships with each other.
Today we make an unapologetic statement to the effect that tribalism, regionalism and ethnic hostilities have no place in our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe. We are determined to build as one nation, acting in unison and speaking with one clear voice,” he said.
The president however said despite the government’s determination to achieve unity, “our nation has not been spared of the divisive machinations of our detractors who seek to drive a wedge between our people, and generally destabilise our country.”
As if to respond to the debate on the use of traditional leaders to deal with the Gukurahundi issue ahead of the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC), Mnangagwa said the chiefs were empowered by the constitution to resolve such conflicts.
“Our Constitution and customary law empower our chiefs to resolve conflicts amongst our people in accordance with our traditions and customs. The resolution of conflict in our tradition is not a prescriptive process but one that involves consultations and dialogue among affected parties.
“The very construction of our traditional conflict resolution system renders chiefs the most suitable leaders to engage in the process of finding concrete and lasting solutions to all the challenges that our people encounter,” Mnangagwa said.
“Let me hasten to state that the process we are about to engage in, should not be misconstrued as an isolated endeavour designed for only a fraction of our citizenry,” he said.
“It is indeed a defining occasion for the whole country as it is an apt demonstration that under my watch, the Second Republic is determined to resolve whatever conflict between us internally and without interference from external forces.
“After all, churches, bishops, NGOs and chiefs, among others, have always been in existence, yet conflict was experienced. As President, I took a bold and yet decisive initiative for the nation to open up, discuss and more importantly, bring to finality this Gukurahundi,” he said.
“Our Traditional Leaders who are the custodians of our culture are best placed to deal with issues affecting their respective communities in consultation with government.”
Meanwhile, Mnangagwa appealed for cooperation as the traditional leaders embark on their duties.
“I appeal to the chiefs as they embark on this very important assignment to diligently carry out their duties guided by the principles of Ubuntu. In the same vein, I also appeal to the general public to unite behind this noble cause. I urge the affected people and communities to cooperate with our traditional leaders in this process,” he said.
COMMENTS
And of course the massacre of our people orchestrated by “Liberation” leaders, was NOT a political weapon ?? How do these Zanoids dream up the most ridiculous and obviously transparent fantasies. African democracy at work!
So says the Devil Incarnate – how many people has this Devil murdered in devious ways starting with Piet Oberholzer who was murdered in front of his wife and young children? What did Lookout Masuku die from having been detained by Zanu to put pressure on Joshua Nkomo to sign the Unity Accord? Why was the nominated Deputy Minister of Agriculture in the GNU held in a prison in Mutare with a corpse in the cells with him? We al know that leopards do not change their spots – but the Crocodile is no different either. Mugabe, Shiri and the Crocodile carried out the Gukuruhundi and no matter how much spin ED or Eddie Cross put on this topic – “Murder plus time = Murder.”
President Emmerson Mnangagwa, you are responsible for Gukurahundi, I lived in Bulawayo when you and mugabe were killing the Ndebele people to force Joshua Nkomo to sign the Unity Accord. I will remind people about your role in this evil deed. You will answer for your deed, if not in this world, it will be in the next world were you will face your victims. And by the way Hell has no fire escape. President Emmerson Mnangagwa, my generation neither trusts you nor likes you. Pasi Newe. My generation will never forget how evil you are and what your role was in the murder of 20,000 Ndebele people. You named it Gukurahundi. Your past is catching up with you.
“President Emmerson Mnangagwa has berated some opposition parties and foreign countries who he accused of using the emotive Gukurahundi genocide to gain political mileage.”
Gukurahundi genocide is not a weapon, it is a reality and you, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, were responsible for it. I lived in Bulawayo when you commanded the 5th Brigade to murder 20, 000 Ndebele people. ZANUPF continues to use violence towards it opponents. And those of us who remember Gukurahundi will continue to tell ZANUPF, our children and the world about it. Every generation in Zimbabwe will know about Gukurahundi because people like me will tell our children, they in turn will tell their children, and so on. Oral history is fantastic, because ZANUPF cannot control that narrative. The truth hurts, doesn’t it President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Gukurahundi was murder. There is no statute of limitation on murder, and as a lawyer (or is it liar in your case),you should know. I am told there is a Shona proverb that states: The axe that chops down the tree forgets the deed once the job is done, but the tree that was chopped down by that axe does not forget. We shall never forget, our children will never forget, our grand children will never forget an neither will or great, great great, great, great, great, great,_________ grand children forget.
Gukurahundi hangs over murdering and crazy Ed like a sword and he would love all of us to forget what he did in that “moment of madness”. But we will never forget nor forgive no matter what he does or says. We will follow him to his grave and to the grave of his children and grandchildren. And they all fully deserve all of our anger and hatred.
The Partnership also continues to develop an active network of
professional consultants, foundations, municipalities and
not-for-profit organizations located throughout the Middle New York region to assist
area residents, visitors and businesses. Discover our own back links and
information page for a lot more information Please.