Zimbabwe civil war looms over marginalisation of Matabeleland

MPs have warned the government of a looming civil war if it fails to address the marginalisation of Matabeleland region and other marginalized groups.

Priscilla Misiharabwi-Mushonga launched the debate on a motion which beamed the marginalisation of the region and women in the awarding of tenders in local government and parastatals.

Misihairabwi told parliament Tuesday that the region was bitter about government's perpetual failure to equitably share the country's resources and the anger can turn into war anytime.

She was citing the case of Wellcash debt collectors describing them as an institution highlighting the gravity of marginalisation in Zimbabwe.

According to her, the company has taken over debt collection in every corner of the country basing on a human resource base that is predominantly Shona and male.

"It does not make sense to me that in a country where you have Mashonaland, Manicaland, why not just find the lawyers that are resident in that particular province to do the job that is there," she said.

Misihairabwi warned of the high likelihood of civil unrest as Ndebeles are now frustrated of being labelled tribalists when they are raising purely marginalisation issues.

"We are not trying to do political mileage, we are not trying to be tribalistic but we are actually talking about something that is so serious that unless it is addressed," she said.

"And I keep saying this in this House, unless we address this thing, one day we are going to be in a civil war in this country.

"You cannot continue to treat a particular people in a particular attitude and expect that they will not stand up to that kind of oppression."

Misihairabwi vowed to continue debating the issue despite its sensitivity.