The concerns were voiced at a multi-stakeholder meeting organised by Bulawayo Agenda under the Church and Civil Society Forum banner, to consult the district leaders on how to prevent politically motivated violence.
Participants said the issue of Gukurahundi was stuck in their memories as nothing had been done to address the trauma caused during that time. “We need to know who was mad. Was it the perpetrators or the victims?
Gukurahundi cannot be dismissed as a moment of madness. We cannot be expected to forget about it so easily,” said one of the participants.
To date, ZANU PF has refused to address the Gukurahundi genocide that claimed more than 20 000 lives, dismissing the issue as a closed chapter.
Community members accused traditional leaders of fuelling violence and divisions in the area through their political alignment to Zanu (PF). Nkayi Agenda, a Chapter of Bulawayo Agenda, Chairperson, Cephas Ncube, encouraged the community leaders to promote peace for development to be a reality.
“We have to treat each other with respect despite our political differences,” he said.
Youths challenged the government political parties to support income-generating projects for young people to earn a living. Despite a Youth Empowerment Fund having been unveiled by the government, there have been reports of misadministration of the funds by the Saviour Kasukuwere-led ministry.
Also debated at the meeting was the need for platforms where perpetrators of violence could admit to their role in the violence.
“We demand platforms for perpetrators to come and explain to us why they did what they did. We need answers before we can talk about healing,” fumed one participant identified as Rebecca Ncube.
There were mixed feelings on the call for compensation for Gukurahundi victims as some said the process was impossible.
“It is difficult to call for compensation because how do you compensate someone whose relative was butchered?’ said Joshua Mhambi, who was representing the Professor Welshman-led MDC.
The meeting was attended by representatives from JOMIC, Zanu (PF), MDC-T, ZAPU, MDC, traditional leaders and local councillors.
Post published in: News