Mnangagwa, Mugabe Must Apologise For Gukuhundi Says Top Zanu-PF Official

In an interview with The Zimbabwe Independent reporter Nkululeko Sibanda (NS), Makokoba legislator Tshinga Dube (TD) said the only way Zimbabwe will get closure on Gukurahundi is for former President Robert Mugabe to apologise since the people involved were working under him.

He also said current Zanu-PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa must apologise so that the issue can be closed. Dube argues the responsible individuals are refusing to apologise because they argue that Gukurahundi was a war. He also said the issue of compensation will not work because some of the victims are no longer alive. Below is an excerpt of the interview:

NS: Now, how do we get closure on Gukurahundi?

TD: I have always said there is need for what we refer to in Ndebele culture and IsiNdebele as ukukhumisana umlotha; traditional ritual of coming together to bury the hatchet after proper apologies have been made following a hurtful conflict or such a problem. Once that is done, we then agree as a people or nation that it’s done; the chapter is closed. We have seen that happening in other countries. But we have not had that in Zimbabwe. What we have had here are people who would not say sorry. Their excuse is that it was during a war. I dare ask: what war are you talking about when unarmed and defenceless people were being killed? We talk about war when two or more armed groups or people are fighting. When you just kill people because you have a gun and they don’t have one, that’s not a war.

NS: Who should shoulder the blame for Gukurahundi and issue an apology to victims given that former president Robert Mugabe is largely denying responsibility and scapegoating others?

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TD: If he is refusing to accept responsibility, who does he think should shoulder the blame? It is public knowledge that he (Mugabe) was the president, chief executive of the country, and commander-in-chief when those disturbances happened. Whether he likes it or not, Mugabe is the one who should shoulder the blame; all these other people involved were working under him. Nonetheless, the people in the command element and government were also there.

Even the current president (Mnangagwa) was also there, although I cannot say he was fully responsible. These are the people who should apologise to the victims on behalf of the government so that this chapter can be closed.

More: Independent