Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko poured out his soul over the Gukurahundi genocide (Sunday News February 15 2015). An avalanche of criticism has been heaped on him.
On analysing the said responses, one cannot help but assume that most of the respondents are either anti-opening up on this emotive issue, or they failed to ventilate into the VP’s highly factual and candid revelation.
No doubt, the man is a historian of repute. The chronological presentation of events couched in a candid, yet sensitive to classified information is amazing.
One is reminded of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa. Bishop Desmond Tutu left no stone unturned in search for a healing process.
VP Mphoko, as head of the National Healing and Reconciliation portfolio, has chosen to kick off the debate by unpacking the myths and propaganda that hitherto was associated with Gukurahundi.
As alluded to earlier on, turncoats would want VP Mphoko discredited, allegedly for fighting on the corner of Gukurahundi perpetrators, when he is not.
MDC-T in Southern Eye (February 18 2015) called for VP Mphoko’s resignation — for what reason? If the naked truth were to be told, VP Mphoko’s version on Gukurahundi is politically, historically and academically sound.
The nation knows pretty well, that some people in MDC-T now, were in Zanu PF decision-making structures when Gukurahundi was unleashed to the Midlands and Matabeleland thereby massacring approximately 20 000 civilians in cold blood.
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Like the Americans, in their relentless anger against ISI, the Islamic State, so was the feeling of insecurity, when the winds of change swept across the African continent bringing with it independence. VP Mphoko’s reading of the overarching conspiracy finds justification on the following grounds:
Portugal’s surrender of territories, namely Mozambique and Angola was viewed as opening avenues for the Communist trained ANC and Zipra terrorists,
China was not a military force to reckon then, and as such Zanu was not an immediate threat,
A background of hostilities between Zipra and Zanu offered fertile ground for putting a wedge between the two liberation movements,
Zipra had shot down an alleged civilian plane near Victoria Falls,
Zapu supported the restoration of land to blacks, in an orderly and emancipatory manner,
At Lancaster House independence talks, the two parties had divergent views,
The collapse of the Patriotic Front and the separate contesting of the 1980 general election and untimely death of General Josiah Tongogara was in the conspiracy’s favour.
In the course of events someone bought the dummy of the western conspiracy. Zapu was accused of planning to topple the Zanu PF government through its purported dissidents. This was a moment of madness. VP Mphoko advises the nation to refuse to be used as pawns in the enemy’s hand.
Victims of Gukurahundi atrocities are hurting. The continued banning of Gukurahundi commemorations by police adds salt to the wound. Properly understood, VP Mphoko is saying, let’s not be willing tools for accomplishing other people’s sinister agenda.
The pain, loss inflicted on a portion of Zimbabweans by Gukurahundi atrocities is incurable unless, a healing process is allowed to take place.
The conspirators glee when the aggrieved remain grieved with no closure in sight, worse still, the perceived hostilities were tribally inclined, leading to the philosophy of Shona supremacy as advocated by the 1979 document, which was printed in England in which President Robert Mugabe is revered as Black Jesus and an epitome of all that Shona aspirations stand for. The British have never condemned the Gukurahundi massacres — why?
The author of this article is motivated to continue commenting on this emotive subject, until cows come home. Accolades to VP Mphoko in his capacity as National Healing and Reconciliation portfolio head, for attempting to unpack this intriguing Gukurahundi issue.
Sadly, it would appear he has touched a raw nerve of Zimbabwean politics. I hope he will survive the onslaught.
I wish him a courageous unwavering and steadfast swim in this crocodile-infested river.
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