Only trained chiefs to lead Gukurahundi hearings

THE Gukurahundi Standing Committee has resolved that only chiefs trained in conflict resolution will lead the public hearings, citing time constraints as the reason for not undertaking another training exercise.

The traditional leaders expect to start the Gukurahundi public hearings between late February and March, following the Government’s allocation of resources to kick-start the national healing exercise.

The Standing Committee held a meeting in Bulawayo on Saturday and Sunday to finalise the necessary logistical issues before public hearings are conducted.

President Mnangagwa mandated 72 traditional leaders from Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South provinces to lead the programme, with each chief having a 14-member panel to assist them.

National Council of Chiefs president, Chief Mtshane Khumalo, underlined the importance of trained chiefs leading the process.

“We wanted newly appointed chiefs to be trained but there is very little time to train them because we are looking forward in the next coming weeks and months to start the outreach programme,” said Chief Mtshane.

“There is a lot that these other chiefs were trained on, which these newly appointed cannot master within a short space of time. So, what we have agreed is that the trained chiefs may cover the area of the newly appointed chiefs.”

He said traditional leaders want to handle the Gukurahundi public hearings issue with ultimate care and sensitivity as failure to do so can be catastrophic.

“I can tell you that if we send someone who is not trained on this exercise to undertake it, it will be a disaster. So, we have invited other chiefs to join us when we meet next time so that we can persuade the trained chiefs and new chiefs to come together and utilise the services of the trained chiefs during the outreach programme,” said Chief Mtshane.

The Government’s decision to revive chieftaincies disbanded during the colonial regime has led to several revivals in Matabeleland South.

“We are talking about chieftaincies, which were revived and those chiefs who were even appointed this month. If we are to split the 14-panel members between the newly appointed chiefs and the old chiefs, then it depletes the number of people each chief is supposed to have. There is no time to train the 14 new members for the appointed chief,” said Chief Mtshane.

“That is why we have decided that the old chief should then lead the process. After all, where the new chief is, is the former area of the older chief and we see no reason why this will not take place. But we are here to discuss with the newly appointed chiefs and the trained chiefs in the affected areas.” — @nqotshili