Bulawayo civic society organisations yesterday dismissed accusations by Magwegwe MP Felix Magalela Sibanda that they failed to support his proposed Gukurahundi Bill, saying he never consulted them.
Last week, Sibanda was blocked from introducing the Bill in Parliament because only a Vice-President or minister is allowed to initiate a law that has implications on government funds. He criticised human rights organisations and civic society for failing to support his initiative resulting in its failure.
But Matabeleland Constitutional Reform Agenda director Effie Ncube said the MDC-T MP must have consulted wider.
“Sibanda had a brilliant idea, but he never told us. He never organised with us, he did not involve us,” Ncube said.
“His accusations are not factual. We could not have dreamt that he was pushing for such a move which we only saw in the newspapers. Now that he has talked to us, we will assist.”
Bulawayo Agenda executive director Thabani Nyoni also said although Sibanda’s efforts were commendable, he had not sought their support.
“We fully support the Bill because it is an internal mechanism to compensate Gukurahundi victims whose rights were infringed,” he said.
“However, we only heard of this issue in the newspapers and it therefore hamstrings us as he did not make a formal invitation seeking that we assist him.”
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Habakkuk Trust chief executive officer Dumisani Nkomo said they were fully behind the Bill, but had problems with the strategy Sibanda adopted.
“The issue is that the Gukurahundi Bill is part of the broader struggle for people who have been marginalised,” he said.
“Unless the Gukurahundi issue is addressed, we cannot talk about national unity and reconciliation. “However, the strategy that Sibanda used was not worthwhile. He did not consult.
“If he had consulted, we would have been involved. But I am sure that from now on, civic society organisations will begin to make their voices heard on this issue.”
MDC deputy secretary-general and Organ for National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration co-minister Moses Mzila-Ndlovu at the weekend said he was ready to help the MP steer the Bill through Parliament.
Zanu PF politburo member Jonathan Moyo also once crafted a similar Bill, but failed to push it through under unclear circumstances.
Human rights groups say over 20 000 civilians were killed in a 1980s army crackdown on suspected insurgents in Matabeleland and Midlands.
