GOVERNMENT should do more to honour the legacy of the late Father Zimbabwe Vice-President Joshua Nkomo observers have said.
Nkomo passed away on July 1, 1999.
In 1987, Nkomo was forced to enter into a compromise deal with Zanu in what became known as the Unity Accord to stop the massacre of Zapu supporters as well as civilians in Matabeleland and Midlands provinces.
According to the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace in Zimbabwe, over 20 000 people were killed, with many others raped, maimed and some disappeared without trace.
Gukurahundi survivor Ben Moyo said Nkomo should be turning in his grave as the government has failed to conduct a genuine truth-telling and reconciliation process to find closure for victims.
“He (Nkomo) died a disappointed man that Gukurahundi massacres had not been resolved,” Moyo said.
“He would have called for a more transparent process, a process that would not involve chiefs that were not there.
“He would have called for a proper commission of inquiry with public hearings, not these Nicodemusly done ones.”
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He said the government should respect the people of Matabeleland and stop cosmetic hearings into the mass killings.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2019 appointed chiefs to lead the hearings.
The decision is, however, being challenged at the High Court by Zapu.
Rural Community Empowerment Trust deputy chairperson Thembelani Dube said Gukurahundi victims were crying out for closure and compensation.
“In that regard for peace and reconciliation to be attained, there is need for truth-telling and an environment conducive for the truth to be told and for the grieving parties to heal,” Dube said.
Hwange West legislator Daniel Molokele said the government had a duty to honour the legacy of the late Father Zimbabwe.
“I would like to urge the government to continue to honour his legacy by making sure that it funds the Joshua Nkomo Museum in Matsheumhlope, Bulawayo,” Molokele said.
“It must make sure that all Matabeleland people find peace, justice and reconciliation through a peace and reconciliation commission.
“It must also honour the legacy of Nkomo by coming up with a special programme to affirm the people of Matabeleland who were left behind in terms of socio-economic development, especially on the issues of health and education because of the years of Gukurahundi.”
Zapu Bulawayo secretary Vivian Siziba said Nkomo respected the sanctity of human life.
“Definitely, Nkomo couldn’t have tolerated this kind of circus,” Siziba said.
"The way the hearings are being conducted, is akin to the interrogation of the victims by the Special Branch and CIO [Central Intelligence Organisation] in the pre-independence and post-independence eras, respectively.”
