Zanu PF MP for Mwenezi East Kudakwashe Bhasikiti yesterday told the House of Assembly there was no need to continue discussing the Gukurahundi issue because the late Vice-President Joshua Nkomo had put an end to the matter when he signed the Unity Accord.
Bhasikiti was debating a motion on national healing, cohesion and unity in respect of victims of pre and post-independence political conflicts, which was introduced on Wednesday by Hurungwe West MP Tall Severino Chambati (MDC-T).
He said the mandate of the Organ on National Healing and Integration had been to heal the wounds of those who suffered the 2008 Presidential election violence and not the Gukurahundi killings.
“The mandate of the Organ on National Healing and Integration was to look at the June 2008 elections and its aftermaths and how people can be healed,” said Bhasikiti.
“The Gukurahundi incident was well spelt out in the Unity Accord when the late Vice-President Joshua Nkomo signed it and in essence he was saying what happened during the Gukurahundi incident was never to be repeated in this nation and it was an acknowledgement by all political parties that it was a moment of madness.”
Bhasikiti said the House should not waste time discussing the motion on national healing because it opened the wounds of events that happened in the past and urged MPs to discuss other issues affecting people.
However, most female MPs who contributed to the debate argued the incidents of violence that affected people could not just be wished away.
Kadoma Central MP Editor Matamisa (MDC-T) said national healing was necessary as a lot of people had been abducted, suffered burns or had bodies immersed in acid, leaving their families traumatised.
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“A lot of people who were given drugs and alcohol by politicians to perpetrate such acts of violence are now crazy and it is important that national healing should take place,” Matamisa said.
