Gukurahundi rears its ugly head again as Parliament discusses Mphoko’s Peace and Reconciliation bill- Part Three

The way the government is dealing with Gukurahundi, the 1980s massacres which left about 20 000 people in Matebeleland and the Midlands dead, is like someone who  puts elastoplast on a wound without applying betadine, Movement for Democratic Change vice-president Thokozani Khupe said.

She said this during the debate on the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission bill which is being sponsored by Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko in his capacity as Minister of National Healing and Reconciliation.

“For me, in order for this peace building process to be a success, it is important that truth telling be done in an open and transparent manner.  We want to make sure that what happened is not going to happen again,” Khupe said. 

“For instance, if you look at issues to do with Gukurahundi and other issues, it is like what government did was to take an elastoplast and put it on a wound without applying betadine.  So, what has been happening in the 35 years is that, that wound has been eating into the flesh.  It is now deeper and the pain is severe.  So, it is important that we remove that elastoplast, apply betadine so that the wounds heal and heal for good.

“That can only happen, Mr. Speaker Sir if the truth is told.  Let the truth be told because the truth shall set you free.  Once truth has been told, we want justice.  Let justice take its course.   Once justice takes its course, then there will be peace.  Once there is peace, then you can reconcile the nation.  Once there is reconciliation, then there will be development because a country cannot develop on a foundation of injustices. 

“You have to deal with the injustices in order for development to take place.  So, our plea to the Hon. Vice President is that let this process be done in such a manner that we are going to heal the wounds and heal them for good.”

Below is her full contribution and that of fellow legislator Jessie Majome.

Continued next page

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