Online Reporter
Nqobile Tshili, [email protected]
GOVERNMENT yesterday conducted a refresher course for chiefs and their rapporteurs as part of preparations for the Gukurahundi Community Engagement Outreach programme set to commence soon.
President Mnangagwa launched the outreach programme at State House in Bulawayo last year but logistical issues have stalled the start of the , which is now expected to be rolled out next month.
The Gukurahundi Community Engagement Outreach programme is a Government initiative aimed at resolving the Gukurahundi related problems.
The early post-independence conflict is said to have left wounds in Matabeleland region and the Midlands province hence this community engagement.
President Mnangagwa who has said Zimbabwe needs to confront its dark past, has committed to working with communities and traditional leaders that include chiefs to address the Gukurahundi problems.
National Council of Chiefs deputy president, Chief Fortune Charumbira, yesterday led the refresher training programme, which was facilitated by experts.
“We were supposed to have gone out after the President launched the programme in July 2024. We could not do so because of logistical issues, which include among others lack of resources,” he said.
Chief Charumbira said because of time lapse since the launch, they decided to conduct a refresher course before the start of the Community Engagement Outreach programme next month.
He said those who attended yesterday’s refresher course included some chiefs and rapporteurs who had not been trained.
Chief Charumbira said everything should fall into place before the end of this month.
He said the programme will start with a sensitisation exercise whereby chiefs will engage their communities so that people understand the purpose of the hearings.
Chief Charumbira said the hearings will be victim centric so not many people are expected at the hearings.
“The hearing will focus on families and as such it is victim based.
“The chief and his team will engage the victims and their relatives during hearings. People should therefore not confuse these engagements for rallies,” he said.
Chief Charumbira said the objectives of the hearings is for the people to find each other and achieve the cherished national cohesion.
“The Government through His Excellency the President, Dr E.D Mnangagwa are committed to putting resources as this an important exercise for the country. The money is not the issue, the issue is the value of unity and peace that will result from an effective outreach programme,” said Chief Charumbira.
He said renovations at the Command Centre, which is expected to store data and testimonies are ongoing and should be ready by April.
Chief Charumbira said traditional leaders will soon recruit workers to run the Command Centre.
The Command Centre has been established at the former National Peace and Reconciliation Commission offices situated at the corner of 9th Avenue and Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Street. — @nqotshili
