Political activists in Matabeleland want the government to stop Gukurahundi public hearings, which have been described as flawed and secretive amid concerns that they affect emotions of survivors and victims’ families.
The opposition Zapu has also accused the government of trying to conceal evidence against perpetrators.
Zapu leader Sibangilizwe Nkomo last week made an urgent High Court application in Bulawayo to stop the hearings, but it was ruled that it lacked urgency and was dismissed.
The police also denied the Zapu leader an opportunity to address journalists outside the High Court.
Nkomo was challenging a 2019 resolution, which authorised traditional leaders to spearhead the hearings after a meeting held between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the Matabeleland Collective.
When he came into power eight years ago, Mnangagwa promised to address the country’s dark past that the late Robert Mugabe described as “a moment of madness”.
Mugabe unleashed the North Korea-trained 5 Brigade to terrorise communities in Matabeleland and Midlands with the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace claiming that more than 20 000 people died during the period.
Zapu deputy spokesperson Joakim Moyo told Southern Eye on Sunday that the secretive Gukurahundi hearings were an “unnecessary provocation”.
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“The ranting by the chief’s council deputy president Fortune Charumbira makes the whole thing a circus, a way of abusing state funds on bloated ego intentions,” Moyo said.
He said late vice president Joshua Nkomo would have challenged the public hearings if he was still alive.
“I advise the government to depoliticise the judiciary, Parliament, Cabinet and all commissions to ensure meritocracy and accountability in all service delivery,” Moyo said.
“It is a weakness and missed opportunity to delay justice and truth. As it is, Zimbabwe is a lie and a scary gory dream of pride and prejudice.
“We need open brains, tolerance, and truth only then will peace locate and find us.”
United Movement for Devolution (UMD) leader LovemoreMoyo said it was imperative for Zimbabwe to find closure for the emotive issue.
“We submit that the resolution of the Gukurahundi genocide and its effects must be depoliticised and be inclusive of all stakeholders to this political mayhem regardless of their political affiliations and social status,” he said.
“Our well-considered opinion is that the views of the Gukurahundi victims must take precedence ahead of those ones from the government.
“In essence, the wishes of the victims must be respected and taken on board in the crafting of the proposed road map to the resolution of the issue.”
