Bulawayo-based pressure group Ibhetshu LikaZulu has condemned claims by Deputy President of the National Chiefs’ Council, Chief Fortune Charumbira, that Gukurahundi was not genocide.
An estimated 20 000 people mainly from the Ndebele ethnic group were summarily executed by the North Korean Fifth Brigade following its deployment in Matabeleland provinces and Midlands to hunt down former freedom fighters who had allegedly taken up arms against the State (the so-called dissidents).
In a statement, Ibhetshu LikaZulu also criticised the move by chiefs to bar the media from attending the Gukurahundi hearings, which are scheduled to begin soon. Reads the statement:
The pronouncement by Chief Fortune Charumbira that Gukurahundi is not a genocide is worrying but not surprising since to them it’s an issue.
Shocking is the attempt to muzzle reportage when the powers that be are reporting that journalists will not be allowed to cover hearings.
We have always maintained that the Government is not sincere and has zero commitment to the resolution of the genocide as it has failed on fundamentals of resolving historical injustices which are acknowledgement, truth-telling, justice, reconciliation and healing
The insincerity in the Chief’s initiative is also indicated by the failure to use existing literature such as Dumbutshena, Chihambakwe and CCJP reports as a baseline.
The views of victims and communities are silently being pushed to the periphery in the Chief’s initiative as concerns by some traditional leaders and stakeholders are being ignored in this perpetrator-led initiative even before the process begins.
Loud calls have been made that it be an inclusive and holistic process by extending hearings to all affected including Midlands, urban areas and the diaspora, especially in South Africa and Botswana where most victims and survivors fled.
These calls have roundly been ignored as govt pushes ahead in this smokescreen. We thus condemn Charumbira’s call. He is not a victim and thus his call is insensitive and misplaced.
We call on the affected victims in the Chief’s Council to call him to order if stakeholders and communities are to take the initiative seriously.
We had grudgingly accepted the process amidst the glaring weaknesses but every step of the way it is being proven that it is farce.
We thus implore all stakeholders to closely monitor the process. Tax dollars are being thrown down the drain to whitewash a genocide, absolve perpetrators and buy time.
This is our 20th anniversary year and we are not letting up on our call for justice for Gukurahundi.
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