THE Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) has informed South African authorities that it plans to demonstrate outside the United Nations (UN) offices in Pretoria this Friday.
The protest aims to demand UN intervention concerning the planned Gukurahundi hearings and to escalate their push for Matabeleland and Midlands self-determination despite government having said Zimbabwe is a unitary State.
MRP leader Mqondisi Moyo said they wrote to UN representative Urika Richardson in Pretoria notifying her of their intention to submit a petition over their concerns.
“All modalities and logistical issues have been addressed and we have informed the authorities here on our planned march,” Moyo told Southern Eye.
“We also have since written to the UN representative informing her of our programme.”
In a letter dated June 30 addressed to Richardson, Moyo raised a number of concerns regarding the manner in which government intends to conduct the public hearings away from the public eye.
The hearings, which were set to kick off on June 26, are being spearheaded by traditional leaders.
Moyo questioned the secrecy surrounding the hearings, noting that a number of Gukurahundi victims remain stateless, homeless and despondent in neighbouring countries and abroad.
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“We yearn for a future where our people can live without fear of persecution, where our rights are respected and our dignity is upheld,” he wrote.
“We demand justice, accountability and an end to the systemic injustices that have plagued our community for far too long. The time for change is now.”
The MRP leader said the planned hearings were devoid of truth telling, acknowledgement and designed to weaken impending litigation for compensation for the victims.
“We urge the United Nations to take immediate action to protect the lives and safety of Gukurahundi survivors and victims, condemn the Zimbabwean government’s attempt to silence and oppress our people, demand transparency and accountability in the upcoming hearings and to support our quest for justice, accountability and self-determination,” Moyo wrote.
In 2021, MRP marched to the UN office in Pretoria over the same matter.
They submitted a follow-up petition in November 2024.
“However, despite our expectations, we have not received any response or update on the status of our petition. This lack of response has necessitated our follow-up march and petitioning on July 4, 2025,” Moyo wrote to the UN representative.
Moyo said their push for self-determination was rooted in the fundamental principles of international law, including the right to self-determination as enshrined in the UN Charter and various international human rights instruments.
“We urge the UN to recognise our people’s right to self-determination and support their legitimate aspirations for autonomy and recognition,” he wrote.
Moyo told Southern Eye that the demonstration will start in the morning in Marabastad and end in the afternoon at the UN office.
Zapu on Saturday filed an urgent High Court application to stop the planned Gukurahundi hearings.
