Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka and Peter Matika
A BID by opposition ZAPU party and its affiliates to halt the Gukurahundi public hearings programme being spearheaded by chiefs in affected communities in Matabeleland region has suffered a major blow after the High Court of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo dismissed the case yesterday.
Senior High Court judge, Justice Munamato Mutevedzi, ruled that the application by the opposition outfit was not urgent, thereby clearing the path for the Gukurahundi hearings, which officially kick-started last week, to proceed effectively.
ZAPU leader, Mr Sibangilizwe Nkomo, had filed an application last Saturday, challenging the proposed Gukurahundi hearings as flawed. Yesterday, the party acknowledged the High Court’s decision to dismiss the case.
“We placed an urgent application to interject in the process of the Gukurahundi hearings. We respectfully accept the decision of the court,” said Mr Nkomo briefly outside the court.
Mr Nkomo, who was not legally represented, stated in his application that he was challenging a 2019 resolution, which authorised traditional leaders to spearhead the public hearings aimed at resolving the early 1980s civil strife that led to the death of thousands of people, mainly in Matabeleland and parts of the Midlands provinces.
Mr Nkomo further argued that the chiefs were neither impartial nor unbiased in the conduct of the process, and claimed that their involvement would lead to a regressive outcome.
This court application had, in turn, caused delays in the smooth commencement of the vital Gukurahundi process, creating uncertainty around the highly anticipated national healing and reconciliation initiative.
However, with the application now dismissed, the process is set to flow smoothly.
National Chiefs Council president, Chief Mtshane Khumalo, who is leading the process, indicated that while the court application initially appeared to be a stumbling block, they are now pleased that all is in order.
He stated that they are now “busy on the ground and there is no turning back”, with final touches having been completed.
“We are busy on the ground and there is no turning back, with final preparations being done yesterday. Almost every chief has received their vehicles to use during the process, and adequate fuel has also been distributed to them,” said Chief Mtshane.
“The rapporteurs have also received the outstanding gadgets to use during the process. As I’m speaking, the process is on, and since some of the chiefs are now on the ground, there is nothing now stopping them from starting, because they almost have everything in place.
“All the important things to be used during the process have been provided”.
Chief Mtshane further acknowledged the court application, stating that those who filed it were merely exercising their constitutional rights.
“Those who filed it were merely exercising their constitutional rights, and despite such challenges, we are free to continue with the process without fail,” he said. The Chiefs’ Council president emphasised that the legal challenge, though it caused a brief delay, would not ultimately impede the crucial national healing and reconciliation initiative.
The dismissal of the court application came swiftly after certain opposition and shadowy political movements had consistently sought to exploit historical grievances and undermine progress for their own cynical agendas.
These groups have vehemently opposed the leadership of traditional chiefs in the Gukurahundi hearings, advocating instead for alternative mechanisms.
While these factions openly attempted to politicise the Gukurahundi issue for their own narrow interests, the chiefs, by stark contrast, have remained steadfastly focused on genuine reconciliation and closure.
Their unwavering commitment to providing a safe and accessible space for victims to speak their truth powerfully highlights why they are, indeed, the most appropriate leaders for this delicate and vital national endeavour.
The initiative, spearheaded by President Mnangagwa’s Second Republic, seeks to address and bring closure to post-independence disturbances that rocked Matabeleland and parts of the Midlands Province in the 1980s.
In May, Matabeleland chiefs launched a critical outreach programme, engaging with headmen and village heads across their jurisdictions, marking a significant step towards the Gukurahundi public hearings.
The outreach was aimed at briefing fellow traditional leaders on the upcoming hearings. President Mnangagwa entrusted traditional leaders with leading the process of addressing the Gukurahundi issue as part of broader national healing efforts.
He officially launched the Gukurahundi public hearings programme last July, empowering traditional leaders to conduct the hearings.
Initiated in February 2019, the Government’s approach seeks to resolve the Gukurahundi issue through an internal, home-grown process that reinforces national unity.
The Second Republic has demonstrated a strong commitment to facilitating a healing process that brings closure to past conflicts, aligning with the President’s vision of nation-building and fostering unity.
