Activists deliver letter of apology to S.A. embassy following Grace Mugabe assault on Gabriella Engels

22 August 2017
The Ambassador
The Embassy of South Africa
7 Elcombe Street
Belgravia, Harare

Dear Sir/Madam

RE: APOLOGY TO THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH AFRICA FOR THE UNFORTUNATE ASSAULT CASE BY OUR FIRST LADY DR. GRACE MUGABE.

We as Vana veDzimbahwe (children of this land) do hereby submit this apology to the people of South Africa for the assault of South African citizen Gabriella Engels by the wife of our President, First Lady Dr. Grace Mugabe on the 14th of August 2017.

On behalf of our nation and her people, we want you to know that we are deeply ashamed at this unfortunate incident. It is our natural, moral and religious conviction that violence is abhorrent and not a good solution to any issue where dialogue and mediation are possible.

We fear this may divide our two countries, and do not wish it to come between all that we share in common. Despite the colonially determined boundaries between us, we consider ourselves one African family. Our shared values of ubuntu/hunhu lead us to understand that injury to one is injury to all.

So we say to the people of South Africa, our brothers and sisters, may you find it in your hearts to forgive us for this unfortunate incident. May this issue not lead us to lose sight of the fundamental social and economic rights which both our countries strive for, or hamper the possibilities for us to work together to attain these.

May peace reign now and forever.

Regards,
Patrick Phillip Mugadza
Linda Tsungirirai Masarira
Lynnette Tendayi Mudehwe
Saymore Masaisai
Dirk Frey