Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo
TRADITIONAL leaders in Matabeleland on Tuesday launched a critical outreach programme, engaging with headmen and village heads across their jurisdictions.
The intensive preparatory effort marks a significant step towards Gukurahundi public hearings, which are slated to start before the end of this month. The initiative, spearheaded by President Mnangagwa’s Second Republic, seeks to address and bring closure to post-independence disturbances that affected Matabeleland and parts of the Midlands Province.
President of the Zimbabwe Council of Chiefs, Chief Mtshane Khumalo, confirmed that the hearings would start before the end of this month, marking a significant milestone in the country’s national healing journey.
He said the outreach programme sought 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 Khumalo 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.
