Matebeleland people want true peace - Mthwakazi Research Institute

The people of Matebeleland have spoken and they want nothing less than true peace in their land. This was revealed by a random survey that was conducted by McKay Tshuma of Mthwakazi Research Institute in Victoria Falls, Hwange, Binga, Lupane, Nkayi, Gogwe, Gwelo, Tsholotsho, Plumtree, Kezi, Gwanda and Bietbridge. 20 people per town were interviewed. Political parties' representatives of, MDC-T, MDC-N, ZAPU, ZANU, MRP, MLF as well as a representative from iBhetshu LikaZulu had the same questions posed to them.

Only 3 same questions were asked to each of the interviewees which are as follows.
1. What do you think is a hindrance to true reconciliation and peace among the people of Zimbabwe?
2. How do you think peace and reconciliation can be achieved in Zimbabwe?
3. Do you see this new NPR Committee achieving its mandate and fostering peace and reconciliation in Zimbabwe?-( support your answer)

There were relations in answers that were given by interviewees and where answers differed, one could realize that it was maybe because of where one had his bread buttered as well as their political beliefs.

210 out of 247 of all the answers to question one, blamed President Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF of promoting hate and disunity among the people of Zimbabwe. Mugabe was blamed for the Gukurahundi massacres which killed over 20 000 people in Midlands and Matebeleland regions and further criminalising an attempt by the affected families to seek justice over the killings, deprivation of the children of Matebeleland their right to quality education and employment. The 3% who opposed that view, put their blame on the dissidents, preference of South Africa of Matebeleland better educated class, over their home land as well as the lack of confidence into Matebeleland by the investors, saying Mugabe and Zanu could not be Jesus Christ who died for the sins of other people. Such comments were said on Gwelo and Bulawayo. " Some people are hell bent on dividing our Zimbabwe on tribal grounds and these are the people who are pointing fingers on Mugabe and Zanu because Zanu had the majority of its support in Mashonaland while Zapu had its support in Matebeleland ", said the man who only identified himself as Muzondiwa. Muzondiwa challenged all who put the blame on President Mugabe to prove how the dissidents were linked with Zanu or Mugabe so as to justify their claims. The Zanu member in Victoria Falls added to Muzondiwa' sentiments, saying there was nothing other than the Republic of South Africa that rang in the minds of Matebeleland youths, and when the government deploys Shona speaking teachers in the region, everyone start pointing fingers but where is the government expected to get Ndebele, Tonga or Khalanga speaking teachers because they drop out of schools in numbers to join their relatives in South Africa.

" We are glad the government at last, sounds willing to address our concerns as the people of Zimbabwe", said a Kezi man, who only wanted to be identified as Gaddafi. " "We have lived for quite a long time in trauma over Gukurahundi and ee hope these hearings shall open doors not only for peace and reconciliation but for Justice for the killings, because there can never be peace and reconciliation if perpetrators still walk free.
An old lady in Gogwe, pleaded with all affected people to utilise the opportunity that had arisen wisely and speak-out all the problems they had. " Here in Gogwe, our livestock was taken away from us by the people that the government resettled in our areas from Mashonaland. That has contributed to the poverty that we now live in, in this place. Large herds of cattle has disappeared without trace, ever since Mashonaland people were resettled in this place", said Gogo maMvundla (not her real name).

There was similarity in the answers of MRP and MLF activists regarding question number one. Their activists, said the only stumbling block was the failure by Zanu to accept the historical background of Mashonaland and Matebeleland and the relentless efforts to force their rule over Matebeleland. On question number two, the almost 70% said the solution could only be to separate Matebeleland permanently from Zimbabwe and see each state living a life free from the other's influence. Mbedzi from Bietbridge recalled their time in Tanzania during the liberation struggle for Zimbabwe and tears rolled down his frail cheeks. He said he last saw his brother there when they were attacked by Zanu guerrillas. " We thought we had one enermy which was the whites but we were proved wrong when we got to Tanzania from Zambia for Zipa training, when we found there, Zanu guerrillas chanting and dancing to war songs that denounced Joshua Nkomo, our leader. We didn't know the worst was still to unfold and I lost my brother there and that was all because of because the hate between Shonas and Ndebeles", said Mbedzi. Almost. 12% denied it all again saying there was no hate between Shonas and Ndebele people but only a stiff competition for benefiting from very limited resources which has in many cases favoured Shonas because of their numerical advantage. 18% chose not to comment on that one.

Responding to the final question, the member of iBhetshu LikaZulu said, it was only a waste of the state resources while people were starving to death. He posed a question that what strategy would would the NPR Committee would they use to their intended results are achieved, which the Ministry of Moses Mzila Ndlovu did not use and if they are going to use the same strategy, why should they succeed where Mzila failed. One Tsholotsho woman cried that the government seemed to be trying to play games to set its officials off the hook. She questioned that what could be achieved in a space of 5days, why had Tsholotsho been left out from the list of places that are going to be toured considering that the Gukurahundi started and had far reached effects there. Again a small number of interviewees in Gwelo and Bulawayo sounded content that the NPCR would achieve its mandate.