PM abused over Gukurahundi

The small crowd were singing songs in Ndebele, but showed no sign of hostility. Buses arrived with mostly Shona-speaking supporters from as far afield as Pretoria and, at 1pm Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai began his address.

During the speech, the Prime Minister made reference to how Harare was coming back to life, including new efforts to restore the water supply; at which point the Matabele element began shouting, “What about Bulawayo?” and “When do we get justice for Gukurahundi?”

With his usual calm demeanour, Tsvangirai told the audience that Harare was only one example of change around the country.

“Of course, we are just as concerned with Bulawayo,” he said, and called for a less emotional approach, explaining that the GNU was less than six-months old.

But the problem grew worse when former Harare mayor, Elias Mudzuri, took charge of question time, selecting from the many waving hands as to who would be allowed to raise issues with the PM.

MDC supporter Elton Mpofu, who attended the meeting, said he was not part of

the protest, but understood the frustration.

“This was the first time in some years that I came to an MDC meeting in Jo’burg and it was good to see such support for the PM,” he told The Zimbabwean. “But it was clear that those who were protesting were not going to get a question, and maybe you can understand why Mudzuri did not want to open up a war in the room, but I think it made matters worse.”

The Matabele crowd produced placards that read, “Where were you when our people were being killed?” a clear reference to Gukurahundi, and “Zimbabwe is not for Sale.” Another suggested that the MDC had grown too close to Zanu (PF).

As the meeting ended, the Matabeles began singing and chanting, but there were no reports of violence.

Mpofu said he spoke to some of the demonstrators after the meeting.

“It is clear that their grievance was focussed on Gukurahundi and, to some extent, Murambatsvina, and the fact that the GNU has made little effort to deal with either issue,” he said. “The 1980s killings especially are very emotive, but I can understand that if the PM tackles it in cabinet he could destroy what remains of the GNU.”

One of the protestors, who declined to give his name, agreed with the assessment, but said it was impossible to stem the anger over Gukurahundi.

“Lokhu kufanana lokutshela abantu beSouth Africa ukuthi bengakhulumi ngokwenzakala ngesikhathi soHulumende woncindezelo,” he explained. [It is like telling the South Africans not to speak about what happened to them during apartheid]. “It is never going to happen.”