Online Reporter
Vusumuzi Dube,Deputy Radar Editor
THE Gukurahundi hearings are progressing well across the Matabeleland region, with a total of 170 interviews having been held by various chiefs to date.
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.
Giving an update on his X account, Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Mr Nick Mangwana, revealed that to date, five chiefs each have held interviews in both Matabeleland North and South Provinces.
In Matabeleland South 130 interviews have been held, while in Matabeleland North, 40 interviews have been held.
Chief Masendu in Bulilima district, Matabeleland South province, has held the highest number of interviews at 83.
Other chiefs in Matabeleland South that have held interviews are; Chief Hobodo (Mangwe)-22, Chief Manguba (Bulilima)-12, Chief Nhlamba (Gwanda)-10 and Chief Bango (Mangwe)- 3.
Chiefs that have held interviews in Matabeleland North are Chief Magama (Tsholotsho)-13, Chief Nkalakhata (Nkayi)-10, Chief Sinampande (Binga)-7, Chief Ndondo (Mbembesi)-5 and Chief Silachilaba (Binga)-5.
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.
The Gukurahundi hearings may not indeed be perfect but the openness is good. These hearings should have happened in 1988 soon after unity agreement but sadly at that point it was about EATING with former leaders wanting a bite on the pie. Better late than never. I for one hope one outcome will be improved education facililties for the region. Mat still lags in Maths and Science education and its because schools were being closed during the war and Gukurahundi itself thanks to that evil man from Filabusi.We aplaud ED for the courage and I hope there is some closure