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‘Mphoko must resign over Gukurahundi remarks’

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THE main opposition MDC-T has called on Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko to resign and apologise to the nation over his claims that the Gukurahundi massacres which left over 20 000 people dead in the 1980s were a Western conspiracy.

THE main opposition MDC-T has called on Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko to resign and apologise to the nation over his claims that the Gukurahundi massacres which left over 20 000 people dead in the 1980s were a Western conspiracy.

PAIDAMOYO MUZULU/ MKHULULI CHIMOIO

In a statement yesterday, the MDC-T said Mphoko, who recently made disparaging comments about disabled people and vending, had proved within a short period of time that he was insensitive and unsuitable to hold public office.

“Remarks by Mphoko to the effect that the Gukurahundi massacres were a conspiracy by the West are, therefore, in extreme bad taste, insensitive and grossly offensive to both the victims and survivors of this genocide,” the party said.

The MDC-T said Gukurahundi — which saw the death of over 20 000 civilians in Matabeleland and Midlands regions in a government military crackdown against armed dissidents — was a dark patch of the country’s history.

“He should also proceed to specifically proffer an unconditional apology to all the victims and survivors of the Gukurahundi genocide in particular and to all citizens of this country in general,” the party said.

Accused coup plotter and ex-army officer Albert Matapo said Mphoko was a “lying divisive element” who must be investigated for his role in Gukurahundi. “Mphoko must be investigated immediately for the role he played in Gukurahundi as I am convinced he is hiding something from the nation,” Matapo, who is also leader of the United Crusader for Achieving Democracy, said.

“If you cautiously follow his interview where he claimed that (President Robert) Mugabe was not responsible for Gukurahundi, you will realise the man has a lot to tell. If he has such information and claims to have belonged to Zapu, why did he not take that information to his leadership and helped in exposing the British and apartheid government?”

Matapo was allegedly abducted in 2007 and served seven years’ imprisonment for an alleged coup plot against Mugabe and attempted jailbreak. Matapo also described Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa as divisive and unfit to succeed Mugabe.

“Mnangagwa is worse than Mugabe and the masses must start resisting his leadership with immediate effect as he is seemingly cruising to the throne,” he said.

“The country is not united because of Mnangagwa who has been misleading the President since the days of the struggle.” He added: “Since his appointment there is never peace in that party (Zanu PF). He is even fighting those who were perceived to be his lieutenants the likes of ministers Jonathan Moyo, Saviour Kasukuwere and Oppah Muchinguri.”