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NewsDay

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‘Zanu PF not fit to resolve Gukurahundi’

Politics
Political analysts and civic society groups based in the Matabeleland region have described recent discordant remarks by senior Zanu PF officials over the Gukurahundi issue as an indication the party was divided over the issue, hence their reluctance to have it resolved once and for all. An estimated 20 000 people in Matabeleland and Midlands […]

Political analysts and civic society groups based in the Matabeleland region have described recent discordant remarks by senior Zanu PF officials over the Gukurahundi issue as an indication the party was divided over the issue, hence their reluctance to have it resolved once and for all.

An estimated 20 000 people in Matabeleland and Midlands perished in a military crackdown on suspected armed dissidents in an operation now commonly referred to as Gukurahundi in the early 80s.

Political analyst Effie Ncube said: “Zanu PF is divided on Gukurahundi as on any other issue. “It is important that a body other than Zanu PF be put together to address the issue and hear from the victims how they want the matter resolved.”

Bulawayo Progressive Residents’ Association coordinator Rodrick Fayayo said the divergent views that Zanu PF members were giving on the issue of Gukurahundi was “an indication on who is benefiting from the system”.

“Those that are benefiting from the system are the ones busy trying to sweep the issue of Gukurahundi under the carpet. If you notice, they are the ones with influential positions,” said Fayayo.

“The ones who want the matter resolved do not have power within the party and do not have influential positions in government.”

A former PF Zapu senior member who spoke on condition of anonymity echoed Fayayo’ sentiments, saying Matabeleland leaders were dismissing the issue of Gukurahundi because they were being paid for betraying PF Zapu.

“The problem is that people do not know the background of some of these people who appear in newspaper insulting people. The positions that they hold are tokens of appreciation of their betrayal of PF Zapu and the people of Matabeleland.

“Some started betraying PF Zapu during the days of the liberation war leading to independence and during the Gukurahundi massacres. They are being rewarded and it follows that they cannot be seen castigating their master,” he said.

However, Zanu PF politburo member Sikhanyiso Ndlovu said the different views on the Gukurahundi issue did not necessarily reflect divisions within the party over the matter.

“The different views show that we are a democratic party where everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but we are united as a party in solving the matter,” he said.