Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo
TRADITIONAL LEADERS in Matabeleland on Tuesday launched a critical outreach programme, engaging with headmen and village heads across their jurisdictions. This intensive preparatory effort marks a significant step towards the Gukurahundi public hearings, which are now slated to commence before the end of June.
The initiative, spearheaded by President Mnangagwa’s Second Republic, aims to address and bring closure to the post-independence disturbances that affected Matabeleland and parts of the Midlands Province.
President of the Zimbabwe Council of Chiefs, Chief Mtshane Khumalo, confirmed yesterday that the hearings are expected to commence before the end of June, marking a significant milestone in the country’s national healing journey.
He said the outreach programme is intended to brief fellow traditional leaders on the upcoming public hearings.
“Yes, the chiefs are out in the field as we speak. They are meeting other traditional leaders in their jurisdictions so that they too have a buy-in and appreciation of this critical programme that is set to kick off soon. In fact, we expect the public hearings to begin before the end of June, so the whole idea is to give a heads-up to our village heads and headmen who are in direct and daily contact with the people,” he said.
Chief Mtshane said that the outreach was necessary because the programme had not been adequately explained to the general public, with most people only hearing about it through the media.
“We noted that no one has gone to the people to explain what is about to happen, so it was decided that we engage with our headmen and village heads who are in day-to-day contact with the people. After this exercise, which began this week, we will formally start the hearings — hopefully before the end of next month. As chiefs, we are ready and raring to go,” he said.
President Mnangagwa entrusted traditional leaders with leading the process of addressing the Gukurahundi issue as part of broader national healing efforts. The President 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.
During the launch of the programme at Bulawayo State House last year, President Mnangagwa described the hearings as a call for unity and a declaration that Zimbabwe chooses reconciliation over retribution.
“I wish to urge you all not to dwell on the shadows of yesterday, but to focus on the future of our country. Let us turn our attention to a new dawn — a brighter future where the scars of yesterday no longer fester but become stepping stones on the path to a stronger, more unified Zimbabwe. A nation can only be built by a unified people,” said President Mnangagwa.
He further urged the nation not to be swayed by detractors, stating that the outreach programme should be seen as an opportunity to silence doubt and division. He described the process not merely as a mechanism for revisiting grievances, but as a transformative journey and a pilgrimage towards healing and national cohesion.
