President Emmerson Mnangagwa has pledged to accept the outcome of investigations into the massacre of over 20 000 people in Midlands and Matabeleland by the army soon after independence.
BY XOLISANI NCUBE
Mnangagwa told CNN in an interview on Friday that the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) report to be compiled after hearings would be made public.
“At the time that it [Gukurahundi] happened, my predecessor [Robert Mugabe] said it was a moment of madness, that is what he said, which was what was happening internally,” he said.
“But when I took over, I felt that we needed to have finality to this issue, so I appointed a peace and national reconciliation commission, which is now almost eight months into investigations and gathering evidence, and whatever report they are going to make, I have promised the nation that I will make it public for everybody to see it and we take it from there,”
However, critics said Mnangagwa was not being sincere as previous investigations by the Chihambakwe Commission into the killings of civilians by the North Korea-trained Fifth Brigade were still embargoed by the government.
“ED goes to New York and tells CNN’s Christiane Amanpour that he appointed the National Peace and Reconcialiation Commission,” tweeted United Kingdom-based academic Alex Magaisa.
“This is the second time he has said this. His advisors should remind him that the commission was actually appointed by his predecessor, Mugabe, back in 2015.
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“The truth is that there have already been investigations into Gukurahundi. The findings are there, but they have been kept a secret. If he is sincere about transparency and is different from his predecessor, he simply needs to release those reports that Mugabe refused to divulge.”
Human rights lawyer Siphosami Malunga said in its present form, the NPRC was not likely to ensure justice for Gukurahundi victims.
“The current NPRC, save for the chairperson, is Mugabe’s commission and Mugabe never intended it to go anywhere, and President Mnangagwa must appoint a proper commission if he is indeed serious and wants to be taken so,” the lawyer, who is a son of national hero Sidney Malunga, posted on Facebook.
“The process is as important as the outcome. He must engage communities and the country on the appointments much the same way we do with other commissions.
“It will increase his credibility since he is implicated in some of the past wrongs. Most importantly, the NPRC must be properly resourced. Without resources it will achieve nothing.
“Finally, the previous reports [Chihambakwe and Dumbutshena] must be made public.”
Sidney, who was a vocal Zapu MP during the killings, was incarcerated and harassed during the army operation that ended in 1987.
“Any genuine effort at finally laying to rest the terrible ghosts of Gukurahundi in Matabeleland, the president can be assured of the support of many Zimbabweans including myself,” Malunga wrote.
“There is so much that can and needs to be done.
“A lot of it seems hard because it really requires sensitivity and humility that powerful wrongdoers must have towards their powerless victims, but if properly addressed, the country will emerge stronger and more united. Most importantly, victims will get justice and closure in whatever form it comes.”
Mnangagwa was State Security minister during the killings and is cited in many reports as a key player.
