Tsvangirai savages ‘Gukurahundi bash’

Source: Tsvangirai savages ‘Gukurahundi bash’ – DailyNews Live

Fungi Kwaramba      21 February 2017

HARARE – Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has slammed President Robert
Mugabe for holding his multi-million dollar birthday celebrations this
coming Saturday near the graves of Gukurahundi victims who were slain by
the North Korea-trained 5th Brigade in the early 1980s.

Mugabe, who turns 93 today, will be feted by thousands of Zanu PF
supporters at Rhodes Estate Preparatory School (Reps) – near Matopos and
close to Bhalangwe, a burial site for hundreds of victims of the killings.

An estimated 20 000 innocent civilians, mainly in Matabeleland and the
Midlands, were killed by the army unit during a government crackdown which
came to be known as Gukurahundi.

“It is an insult for a leader to host a multi-million dollar bash when
people are facing hunger, it is not a secret that Zimbabweans are
suffering and Mugabe decides to splash funds on a birthday.

“But what is worse is that he is doing so near the graves of people who
suffered from Gukurahundi, a dark era that everyone would like to forget.

“It is really shameful that Mugabe goes to Matobo and insults his
victims,” Tsvangirai’s spokesperson, Luke Tamborinyoka, said.

But Zanu PF youth league secretary Kudzanai Chipanga told the Daily News
that the ruling party had chosen Matopos to promote domestic tourism.

“We are looking at promoting local tourism. That is why we have been
holding our celebrations at holiday resorts.

“Besides, Matopos is of historical value to us given that King Lobengula
was buried there. So, in a way, we will also be honouring him by
celebrating the life of our dear leader there,” he said.

The remains of Cecil John Rhodes, who symbolises the British occupation of
Zimbabwe in 1890, are also buried there.

Meanwhile, Matabeleland pressure group Ibhetsu LikaZulu has been
discouraging people from the region from attending the celebrations.

“It’s an insult to the people of Matabeleland in general. Mugabe’s
birthday is not worth celebrating if you are from Matabeleland because he
led the genocide in Matabeleland.

“He is so proud that even today he doesn’t want to just say sorry? It is
like going to a funeral and start playing wedding songs.

“Matopo is a crime scene, where the bones of people from all over
Matabeleland are found. So, attending the event is clearly endorsing the
killing of our people,” Mbuso Fuzwayo, the group’s secretary-general, told
the Daily News.

This year’s birthday celebrations will be capped by a live musical gala
featuring different artistes.

The nonagenarian’s birthday celebrations have previously courted strong
opinions, with last year’s bash attracting widespread condemnation after
it was held in Masvingo at the height of a ravaging famine which left
livestock and impoverished communities needing emergency relief supplies.

A picture of a woman scrounging for crumbs from the high table where
Mugabe and Zanu PF bigwigs were seated, captured long after the party had
ended, caught the attention of the world after it went viral in both
mainstream and on social media.