uLoyiko tells Mnangangwa to remove the 5th Brigade from Matebeleland

2017 has come and Loyiko, in partnership with the people of Matebeleland, are expected to make this year a very progressive one regarding highlighting Matebeleland issues.

According to an article published by Mthwakazi, this year shall go down as a turning point for Loyiko and its campaign for Truth, Justice, Reparations and Healing for the victims and survivors of the Gukurahundi Genocide.

"This is a promise and a promise we shall fulfil. Mthwakazi get ready! We are in the Human Rights Departure Lounge, ready to take a Human rights flight! Be part of that flight! We have marked 2017 as a year of aggressive engagement with uMthwakazi people on their freedom campaign and we stand ready to offer that support and platform. The Mthwakazi people who are in South Africa and whose status is in Question remain our big priority and the RSA special permit campaign we launched last year remains on the cards. We are ready to unleash it in 2017," the Mthwakazians said.

 "We are however alarmed with the reports that uMthwakazi was intimidated during the Christmas holidays. It has come to our attention that the Vice President of Zimbabwe, Emerson Mnangagwa deployed the 5th Brigade in Bulawayo streets to intimidate uMthwakazi during the holidays. Emerson Mnangagwa, who is directly accused of being the mastermind of Gukurahundi Genocide in the 80s, was the Acting President during the holidays and therefore he was the Commander-in-Chief of the security apparatus of Zimbabwe. The deployment was therefore directly under his command."

 The Mthwakazi activists said they were  also alarmed to receive reports of increased land grab in Matebeleland, specifically in Matopo, to pave way for Arda and Trek Petroleum and the eviction of Matebeleland people from their homeland of birth.

 "Again, in this instance, we have received reports that the 5th Brigade has been deployed by the Government of Zimbabwe under the Command of Emerson Mnangagwa, to carry out the operation of enforced Land grab from the people of Matebeleland. We receive reports that this army has imposed a curfew in the area and has adopted a shoot to kill policy against peaceful citizens of Matebeleand. This is unacceptable and is a clear violation of the human rights of the people of Matebeleland. It is a deplorable act that is part of the 1979 Grand Plan and its objectives. This is Gukurahundi in operation and motion," reads the article in part.

 "As Loyiko, we condemn in the strongest terms, the deployment of the 5th Brigade soldiers in Bulawayo over the holidays and the deployment of the same 5th Brigade in Matopo to harass innocent people and make threats to shoot and kill them and in the process taking their land. the regime is not satisfied with the blood it has been spilling in Matebeleland since 1983. We strongly condemn the Vice President of Zimbabwe, Emerson Mnangagwa for his continued Gukurahundi Genocide Operation against the peace-loving and law abiding people of Matebeleland who remain traumatized by the Gukurahundi Genocide pogrom he and his colleagues carried out in the early 80s. The Zimbabwean government must stop this programme immediately to avert Land wars in Zimbabwe. This is another unprovoked aggression against the people of Matebeleland. It is unacceptable."

The activists said the cited above examples of unprovoked aggression against the defenceless people of Matebeleland give us young South Africans, a determination to push for Truth, Justice, Reparations and Freedom for the people of Matebeleland through our Loyiko Play and other means. We will engage our brothers here in South Africa and elsewhere and set the stage for an intensified international campaign against the Zimbabwean regime and its Gukurahundist policy towards Matebeleland.

 "We strongly urge the Zimbabwean government to remove its 5th Brigade Army in Matopo, Matebeleland and to abandon immediately its shoot and kill policy on defenceless and unarmed civilians. Mnangagwa we directly say this  to you, "Hands-off The People of Matebeleland". You have caused so much suffering in your blood letting adventure in Matebeleland! Enough is Enough," the article reads.

 "We equally urge the people of Matebeleland to stand up and defend their rights. They have got rights under the sun. We are ready to continue to partner the people of Matebeleland in their trials and tribulations brought on their shoulders by the regime of Robert Gabriel Mugabe and his right hand man, Emerson Mnangagwa and other hangers-on of the regime."

 "Meanwhile those who wish to follow our programmes for 2017 are kindly requested to check our website for more information on: www.uloyiko.co.za
Matebeleland you are our Love. Together as one, we shall triumph over Evil! Get ready<" they added.