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Government unleashes new forms of Gukurahundi- MP
21 May 2017 at 02:30hrs | Views
Outspoken MDC legislator Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga has said President Robert Mugabe led government is practicing a new form of bloody Gukurahundi that risk sparking social upheaval.
According to Misihairabwi-Mushonga 'this government has encouraged perpetuation of Shona hegemony in both the social, economic and political sphere' she told the privately run Standard.
Below are excerpts of her interview :
Standard : Recently you warned of possible social upheaval or even ethnic war if the Gukurahundi issue is not addressed, may you please expand on your warning.
Misihairabwi-Mushonga : There are many aggrieved people, with political and social inequalities that are linked to historical differences which are linked to ethnic issues. We have a state which is in denial and a young generation that is getting increasingly restive and agitated. Since the language of discussion is not working, there is a conviction that a resort to violence may be the option.
Standard : Do you think the current political leadership has done enough or has stuck its head in the sand on the issue?
Misihairabwi-Mushonga: Not only has it ignored it but it continues with new forms of Gukurahundi where you impose the majoritarian language on a people.
Simply put, this government has encouraged perpetuation of Shona hegemony in both the social, economic and political sphere.
Standard : President Robert Mugabe described Gukurahundi as a "moment of madness". Do you think that was enough?
Misihairabwi-Mushonga: It's an insult to call genocide that resulted in the n-ked murder of 20 000 people, a moment of madness. One hopes that at some stage reality will hit home.
Standard : How do you think the issue should be resolved given some in government have described it as a "non-issue"?
Misihairabwi-Mushonga : I think it is important for those in Zanu PF to go to Matabeleland to listen to what they are saying. It is wrong for anyone to act like the spirit medium of the people. [Home Affairs minister] Ignatius Chombo should go to Matabeleland to see the mass graves and to speak to women that lost husbands, children that lost their parents. Only then will they be able to define non-issues.
Standard : Do you think President Mugabe should or must take full responsibility for the Gukurahundi atrocities?
Misihairabwi-Mushonga : What I heard people in Matabeleland say is that they want a conversation with President Mugabe over Gukurahundi. I think it's only the victims who can speak about what restorative justice is. It is wrong for any of us to assume that because we are political leaders, we hold the brief for victims. They know what they want. Great Indabas should be held to allow people to speak.
According to Misihairabwi-Mushonga 'this government has encouraged perpetuation of Shona hegemony in both the social, economic and political sphere' she told the privately run Standard.
Below are excerpts of her interview :
Standard : Recently you warned of possible social upheaval or even ethnic war if the Gukurahundi issue is not addressed, may you please expand on your warning.
Misihairabwi-Mushonga : There are many aggrieved people, with political and social inequalities that are linked to historical differences which are linked to ethnic issues. We have a state which is in denial and a young generation that is getting increasingly restive and agitated. Since the language of discussion is not working, there is a conviction that a resort to violence may be the option.
Standard : Do you think the current political leadership has done enough or has stuck its head in the sand on the issue?
Misihairabwi-Mushonga: Not only has it ignored it but it continues with new forms of Gukurahundi where you impose the majoritarian language on a people.
Simply put, this government has encouraged perpetuation of Shona hegemony in both the social, economic and political sphere.
Standard : President Robert Mugabe described Gukurahundi as a "moment of madness". Do you think that was enough?
Misihairabwi-Mushonga: It's an insult to call genocide that resulted in the n-ked murder of 20 000 people, a moment of madness. One hopes that at some stage reality will hit home.
Standard : How do you think the issue should be resolved given some in government have described it as a "non-issue"?
Misihairabwi-Mushonga : I think it is important for those in Zanu PF to go to Matabeleland to listen to what they are saying. It is wrong for anyone to act like the spirit medium of the people. [Home Affairs minister] Ignatius Chombo should go to Matabeleland to see the mass graves and to speak to women that lost husbands, children that lost their parents. Only then will they be able to define non-issues.
Standard : Do you think President Mugabe should or must take full responsibility for the Gukurahundi atrocities?
Misihairabwi-Mushonga : What I heard people in Matabeleland say is that they want a conversation with President Mugabe over Gukurahundi. I think it's only the victims who can speak about what restorative justice is. It is wrong for any of us to assume that because we are political leaders, we hold the brief for victims. They know what they want. Great Indabas should be held to allow people to speak.
Source - Standard
