Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo
ZIMBABWE Council of Chiefs president, Chief Mtshane Khumalo, has dismissed reports suggesting that the start of the Gukurahundi hearings has been postponed due to a lack of resources, as claimed by sections of the private media.
Last week, some private media outlets reported that the hearings — allegedly scheduled to begin on June 16 — had been halted owing to serious resource constraints.
The initiative, spearheaded by President Mnangagwa’s Second Republic, seeks to address and bring closure to the post-independence disturbances that affected Matabeleland and parts of the Midlands Province.
Chief Mtshane told Zimpapers yesterday to clarify the matter, stating that he had never confirmed a specific start date for the hearings and that the public had been misinformed.
“I never spoke to some of these people who are writing all this. What I have always maintained, and still do, is that the hearings are expected to start any time in June. I never put a definitive date as is being alleged now. For the record, we have got the resources, are well on course, and ready to begin this programme. Once the exact date is declared, the nation shall be informed accordingly,” said Chief Mtshane.
Last month, Matabeleland chiefs launched a critical outreach programme, engaging with headmen and village heads across their jurisdictions — marking a significant step towards the Gukurahundi public hearings. The outreach was aimed at briefing fellow traditional leaders on the upcoming hearings.
Chief Mtshane explained that the outreach was necessary because the programme had not been adequately communicated to the general public, with most people only learning 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.
Yesterday, the steering committee of the Gukurahundi Community Engagement Outreach Programme met traditional chiefs from Matabeleland in Bulawayo to finalise logistical arrangements for the rollout of the community outreach programme, Attorney-General Virginia Mabiza said in a brief Press statement read by the
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Nick Mangwana.
The Attorney-General said key highlights of the engagement included reviewing feedback from awareness campaigns conducted in Matabeleland North and South, final training of rapporteurs (today) to document testimonies during public hearings, and a National Council of Chiefs meeting (today) to finalise operational plans and provide guidance on community engagement.
“A Command Centre has been established here at First Mutual Building in Bulawayo to support and co-ordinate the process. This will be the home of the process. The upcoming community hearings aim to provide a safe platform for communities to share their experiences and begin the healing process, promoting national healing, reconciliation, and unity,” she said.
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.
