State confirms intention to silence victims, sweep Gukurahundi under the carpet

THE Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) has noted with great sadness recent utterances by the Deputy Chief Secretary in charge of Presidential Communications, George Charamba, to the effect that the construction of a memorial plaque in honour of victims of the Gukurahundi genocide on the mass grave at Bhalagwe in Maphisa, Matabeleland South province, is illegal.

On January 4, 2022, suspected State security agents used what appeared to be explosives to destroy the memorial plaque at Bhalagwe. This marked the third time in two years that the memorial plaque has been vandalised.

The plaque was erected by villagers in memory of their beloved family members, victims of the Gukurahundi massacres who were buried in a mass grave at Bhalagwe.

Following this unfortunate incident, a host of citizens, including traditional leaders, residents, labour, youth and CiZC, condemned this sabotage perpetrated by the alleged State security agents. We also jointly raised concern over the government’s continued silence with regards the destruction of the Gukurahundi memorial plaques.

As CiZC, we categorically stated that government’s continued silence pointed to unbridled intransigence and insincerity towards genuinely addressing issues of national healing and reconciliation, almost three decades since the Gukurahundi massacres which resulted in the loss of over 20 000 innocent lives.

On January 17, 2022, Charamba confirmed the government’s stance when he told an online publication that the construction of the memorial plaque at Bhalagwe was done “arbitrarily”.

His sentiments are testimony to the fact that the current government led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa does not have the political will to ensure that the Gukurahundi issue is addressed in an inclusive and comprehensive manner.

Charamba’s sentiments expose government’s cosmetic approach towards resolving the Gukurahundi issue and further prove that Mnangagwa’s pledge to address the Gukurahundi issue is mere politicking.

It is now apparent that Zimbabweans cannot trust perpetrators to lead a truth-telling, reconciliation and national healing process and consequently, nationhood continues to be a pipe dream in Zimbabwe.

Destroying memorial plaques and refusing affected families the chance to mourn their departed ones is an attempt to sweep the Gukurahundi issue under the carpet and silence aggrieved citizens.

From Charamba’s sentiments, it is clear that the State is not committed to a genuine process that will result in truth, justice, reconciliation, healing and closure.

It is foolhardy to expect victims to seek permission to erect memorial plaques in honour of their dear departed ones from the chief culprits.

Who, among those in this regime, has ever sought State consent to put memorial tombstones on graves of their beloved? Why should Bhalagwe be different?

We implore the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) to exercise independence and impartiality and address the Gukurahundi issue through a bottom-up approach and in an inclusive and honest manner.

Allowing politicians and perpetrators to lead the process can only serve to derail efforts towards truth-telling, reconciliation and national healing.

It is also incumbent upon the NPRC to publicly denounce Charamba’s sentiments and reaffirm its commitment to a genuine process of truth-telling, justice, healing and reconciliation.

As CiZC, we shall continue to offer solidarity and support to various citizens’ initiatives pushing the agenda of national healing and reconciliation.

We reiterate that the dream of converting Zimbabwe from a country into a nation starts with inclusively and comprehensively dealing with Gukurahundi!