Matabeleland chiefs are set to meet this weekend to restart preparations for the public hearings on the Gukurahundi atrocities, pending confirmation from the government on how to proceed, according to a senior chief.
These Gukurahundi community engagement meetings will be led by chiefs from Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South, who will identify victims of the 1980s genocide, capture their views, and provide solutions to their grievances.
In January, while presenting a progress report at the Fourth Interface between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the chiefs at Bulawayo State House, President of the National Chiefs Council, Chief Lucas Mtshane Khumalo, stated they had chosen a steering committee comprised of 12 chiefs from Matabeleland North and South provinces to manage the process.
Chief Mtshane noted each chief will work with a 14-member panel comprised of individuals representing various segments of the community and that the National Council of Chiefs had suggested the launch of the community engagement meetings take place in Gwanda District, Matabeleland South.
However, the slow pace and uncertainty over when these public hearings will begin have prompted activists to question the government’s sincerity in dealing with the Gukurahundi genocide to help bring reconciliation in Zimbabwe.
In an interview with CITE, Chief Mtshane Khumalo, said the chiefs were planning to meet over the launch preparations but were awaiting the government’s confirmation.
“Maybe we will start the preparations for the Gukurahundi community engagement meetings on the weekend, though the government has not confirmed,” said the senior chief.
Chief Mtshane stated the chiefs had taken a break since the launch had not yet taken place.
“We had gone for a break since the launch had not been done, so we will have to start again and make preparations for the launch,” he remarked, adding this was dependent on the government’s confirmation.
“The government has not confirmed, but it seems as if we can start anytime to do the preparations.”
Chief Mtshane added that when the chiefs meet, they will discuss most of the logistical issues and modalities.
“We will discuss these when we start the preparations. There are a lot of issues that still need to be addressed. There was nothing concrete. We are yet to see,” Chief Mtshane said.
He added that he may have more information on the process next week.
“The best thing is to check with me next Monday. I will have an idea,” said the senior chief.
Last month, it was reported that the Gukurahundi public hearings will begin in July, with the Attorney General, Virginia Mabiza, who heads the secretariat for the Matabeleland Peace-Building Outreach Programme, saying the provisional planned time frame demonstrated the government’s political will and prioritization of reconciliation efforts in Zimbabwe.
Mabiza had said the government hoped “that these efforts signal to stakeholders and the international community that the Government takes these matters seriously.”
The government also said it had allocated a budget for the exercise and trained over 1,000 service providers, including chiefs, to conduct the Gukurahundi Community Outreach Programme while local linguistics experts from the Midlands State University had translated the handbook and manual used during the hearings into local languages to ensure broad participation.
Mabiza noted that the commencement of these consultations has been strategically planned to maximize effectiveness and inclusivity, as well as create a constructive environment for dialogue, healing, and reconciliation.
