Ibhetshu LikaZulu appeals to Mphoko over Gukurahundi

A Bulawayo-based pressure group - Ibhetshu LikaZulu (Likazulu) - has appealed to Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko to intervene in their elusive bid to get police clearance to commemorate victims of the Gukurahundi massacre.

This comes after police on Monday once again barred the group from conducting the ceremony meant to remember an estimated 20 000 innocent civilians who perished during the Fifth Brigade-led onslaught.

Likazulu has vowed to conduct the event, set to take place at Stanley Square on Unity Day, despite the police order.

For about five years now, the pressure group has failed to get police clearance to hold events to do with the massacre, with the law enforcement agency giving "flimsy" reasons like the shortage of manpower.

"The office regrets to inform you that your intended venue has already been booked by Ibumba Arts Festival from December 16 to 22," the police said in a letter to Likazulu, adding that "since your intended venue will be occupied, therefore, for security reasons, the two events cannot be held at the same venue on the same day".

This is despite the fact that the Likazulu booked the venue and paid for it six months back.

"I booked the venue six months ago, knowing very well that I might get such excuses from police," the group's secretary-general, Mbuso Fuzwayo, told the Daily News.

"I checked . . . and I was told the venue is still reserved for us, but surprisingly, on Monday the police told me that the venue is now booked," said Fuzwayo, who produced a receipt to confirm payment done on July 2.

"I think it's high time that the minister responsible for National Peace and Reconciliation (Mphoko) intervenes. He should just call these police to order. All we are saying is Unity Day should be celebrated as the end of genocide and as such, we need to heal and reconcile but how is that possible with such behaviour from the police," Fuzwayo said.