Opinion / Columnist
Zimbabwe's Mugabe needs to answer to crimes against humanity
13 Apr 2016 at 10:08hrs | Views
As Zimbabwe mourns the passing of a gallant hero in Amai Victoria Chitepi, several questions pertaining to her husband still persist.
What really happened to Herbert Chitepo - one of the founding members of ZANU PF?
Who assassinated him?
Numerous people have expounded several theories, including that his death was a result of infighting within ZANU PF.
We already know that Robert Mugabe - the current leader of the party - was once its Secretary General, but haboured ambitions to have a Zezuru-led party.
Obviously led by himself.
The leadership during that time was non-Zezuru.
However, he hatched a plan with his fellow Zezurus - amongst them, Nathan Shamuyarira - to oust all non Zezurus.
He even went as far as to conduct secret talks with the then Vice-President of ZAPU - James Chikerema, also a Zezuru - to also oust its President Joshua Nkomo.
So could it be possible that Mugabe plotted the demise of Chitepo?
In fact, just before Zimbabwe's independence, another gallant son of the soil was dubiously killed in an accident.
This time it was the ZANLA commander - Josiah Tongogara, another non-Zezuru.
Is it not time for these incidences to be investigated?
Should not the veterans of the liberation struggle expose these things?
Mugabe went in to order the massacre of tens of thousands of Ndebeles - accused of supporting ZAPU.
In the 2000s, he massacred hundreds of people accused of being Movement of Democratic Change (MDC) supporters - which led to my fleeing the country.
As a criminal that he is, should he not be brought to book for the numerous crimes that he committed?
From killing 20,000 Ndebele in the 1980s to hundreds of Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) in the 2000s - can this man be ever stopped!
Can any criminal court ever bring him to justice!
Or is he bound to walk away - scot free, as if he never committed any offence
How many people have lost their lives at this man's hands?
Just because he refused to be part of the International Criminal Court, should he then be exonerated?
Should the would not have international justice systems that hold all to account?
Noone should be allowed to wantonly murder people just because he can.
At the moment there are meetings of the Peace and Justice commission.
Can peace and justice be established if Mugabe himself does not confess and apologise?
I do not think so.
He needs to be held accountable.
Today, many people are still going missing.
What happened to Itai Dzamara?
The United States of America and the European Union imposed sanctions on this rogue leadership.
However, these should not be removed without accountability.
Who will answer for the numerous lives that were lost?
Will the removal of sanctions without accountability count?
I do not think so!
Mugabe is a criminal, that has killed our parents, brothers, sisters, cousins
Maybe a court can justify that, but for me, he should face justice.
The sooner it is done, the better, as there are countless orphans out there who do not know what happened to their parents.
° Hillary Chitiyo is a UK based activist
What really happened to Herbert Chitepo - one of the founding members of ZANU PF?
Who assassinated him?
Numerous people have expounded several theories, including that his death was a result of infighting within ZANU PF.
We already know that Robert Mugabe - the current leader of the party - was once its Secretary General, but haboured ambitions to have a Zezuru-led party.
Obviously led by himself.
The leadership during that time was non-Zezuru.
However, he hatched a plan with his fellow Zezurus - amongst them, Nathan Shamuyarira - to oust all non Zezurus.
He even went as far as to conduct secret talks with the then Vice-President of ZAPU - James Chikerema, also a Zezuru - to also oust its President Joshua Nkomo.
So could it be possible that Mugabe plotted the demise of Chitepo?
In fact, just before Zimbabwe's independence, another gallant son of the soil was dubiously killed in an accident.
This time it was the ZANLA commander - Josiah Tongogara, another non-Zezuru.
Is it not time for these incidences to be investigated?
Should not the veterans of the liberation struggle expose these things?
Mugabe went in to order the massacre of tens of thousands of Ndebeles - accused of supporting ZAPU.
In the 2000s, he massacred hundreds of people accused of being Movement of Democratic Change (MDC) supporters - which led to my fleeing the country.
As a criminal that he is, should he not be brought to book for the numerous crimes that he committed?
From killing 20,000 Ndebele in the 1980s to hundreds of Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) in the 2000s - can this man be ever stopped!
Can any criminal court ever bring him to justice!
Or is he bound to walk away - scot free, as if he never committed any offence
Just because he refused to be part of the International Criminal Court, should he then be exonerated?
Should the would not have international justice systems that hold all to account?
Noone should be allowed to wantonly murder people just because he can.
At the moment there are meetings of the Peace and Justice commission.
Can peace and justice be established if Mugabe himself does not confess and apologise?
I do not think so.
He needs to be held accountable.
Today, many people are still going missing.
What happened to Itai Dzamara?
The United States of America and the European Union imposed sanctions on this rogue leadership.
However, these should not be removed without accountability.
Who will answer for the numerous lives that were lost?
Will the removal of sanctions without accountability count?
I do not think so!
Mugabe is a criminal, that has killed our parents, brothers, sisters, cousins
Maybe a court can justify that, but for me, he should face justice.
The sooner it is done, the better, as there are countless orphans out there who do not know what happened to their parents.
° Hillary Chitiyo is a UK based activist
Source - Hillary Chitiyo
All articles and letters published on Bulawayo24 have been independently written by members of Bulawayo24's community. The views of users published on Bulawayo24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Bulawayo24. Bulawayo24 editors also reserve the right to edit or delete any and all comments received.
