News / Local
Gukurahundi Memorial organisers blasted
20 Jan 2014 at 14:10hrs | Views
Zanu-PF politburo member, Sikhanyiso Ndlovu Sunday lashed out at some activists from Matabeleland, accusing them of trying to gain political mileage by "opening wounds" inflicted upon by Gukurahundi, instead of concentrating on reviving industries in Bulawayo thereby creating employment for youths in the region.
The veteran politician was commenting on the Gukurahundi Memorial led by estranged former Roman Catholic Archbishop, Pius Ncube, which was disbanded by the police in Bulawayo on Saturday morning.
"There are people who want to keep warm by inciting people through reminding them of such issues (Gukurahundi)," said Ndlovu. "The matter was dealt with in the 1987 Unity Accord.
"President Robert Mugabe and the late Vice President Joshua Nkomo wanted the fighting to stop. I don't know why we should continue bringing it up. The matter was dealt with during its hottest time. Why should we keep opening wounds?"
About 20 000 people are believed to have perished during Gukurahundi period between 1982 and 1987 after government had unleashed the Fifth Brigade, ostensibly to deal with the dissident menace in parts of Matabeleland and the Midlands.
Ndlovu told The Zimbabwe Mail that it was high time the region concentrated more on issues of the economy and development.
"People should concentrate on nation building, unity and development of the country. They should be talking about how we should move on as a nation. Industries need to be resuscitated and the youths need to be empowered," he said.
"What do those people have for the people of this region and for the future generation? We need to focus on infrastructure development, building roads and more clinics, to benefit the people of the region."
Ndlovu said it was unfortunate that the Gukurahundi issue was being brought up barely a month after the commemoration of Unity Day on December 22.
The highlight of the Unity Day commemoration was the official opening of the refurbished international airport in Bulawayo, renamed after one of the founding fathers of the nation, the late Joshua Nkomo, and the unveiling of his statue erected at the intersection of Eighth Avenue and former Main Street, also renamed after Father Zimbabwe, as Nkomo was affectionately known.
"We are from commemorating Unity Day and a lot was said at the commemorations," said Ndlovu. "I don't know why people are turning their backs on that. Nkomo wanted peace, do you want him to turn in his grave? Do you want people to fight again?"
Media reports yesterday said on Saturday morning police barred people from entering the Baptist Church of Bulawayo in the city's central business district for the Gukurahundi memorial, forcing the crowd to hold the prayers for two hours outside the venue.
Former Archbishop Ncube led the ceremony.
The veteran politician was commenting on the Gukurahundi Memorial led by estranged former Roman Catholic Archbishop, Pius Ncube, which was disbanded by the police in Bulawayo on Saturday morning.
"There are people who want to keep warm by inciting people through reminding them of such issues (Gukurahundi)," said Ndlovu. "The matter was dealt with in the 1987 Unity Accord.
"President Robert Mugabe and the late Vice President Joshua Nkomo wanted the fighting to stop. I don't know why we should continue bringing it up. The matter was dealt with during its hottest time. Why should we keep opening wounds?"
About 20 000 people are believed to have perished during Gukurahundi period between 1982 and 1987 after government had unleashed the Fifth Brigade, ostensibly to deal with the dissident menace in parts of Matabeleland and the Midlands.
Ndlovu told The Zimbabwe Mail that it was high time the region concentrated more on issues of the economy and development.
"What do those people have for the people of this region and for the future generation? We need to focus on infrastructure development, building roads and more clinics, to benefit the people of the region."
Ndlovu said it was unfortunate that the Gukurahundi issue was being brought up barely a month after the commemoration of Unity Day on December 22.
The highlight of the Unity Day commemoration was the official opening of the refurbished international airport in Bulawayo, renamed after one of the founding fathers of the nation, the late Joshua Nkomo, and the unveiling of his statue erected at the intersection of Eighth Avenue and former Main Street, also renamed after Father Zimbabwe, as Nkomo was affectionately known.
"We are from commemorating Unity Day and a lot was said at the commemorations," said Ndlovu. "I don't know why people are turning their backs on that. Nkomo wanted peace, do you want him to turn in his grave? Do you want people to fight again?"
Media reports yesterday said on Saturday morning police barred people from entering the Baptist Church of Bulawayo in the city's central business district for the Gukurahundi memorial, forcing the crowd to hold the prayers for two hours outside the venue.
Former Archbishop Ncube led the ceremony.
Source - zimmail
