Funding gaps hamper gukurahundi outreach programme

The Government still owes some traditional leaders outstanding allowances for the Gukurahundi community outreach programme, despite recent partial payments, raising concerns over the initiative's sustainability.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa tasked chiefs to spearhead the programme, which seeks to foster dialogue and healing over the 1980s Gukurahundi disturbances in Matabeleland and Midlands.

However, the outreach initiative has been plagued by persistent funding challenges, with Treasury disbursements reportedly arriving late and in irregular batches, disrupting operations on the ground.

Mtshane Khumalo, president of the Chiefs Council, confirmed that part of the arrears had been cleared recently, although some payments remain outstanding.

"We received part of our money for the outreach. Our monies were paid this year and the arrears were paid some one or two months ago," Khumalo said.

He attributed some of the delays to communication breakdowns, saying follow-ups had been required after correspondence was not received by relevant officials.

Sources familiar with the programme said financial constraints have forced operations to run on a month-to-month basis, complicating planning and limiting outreach coverage.

Khumalo also cited logistical challenges, particularly around transport, as a major obstacle. Vehicle shortages have been linked to payment disputes involving Central Mechanical Equipment Department, which provides government transport services and has reportedly demanded settlement of outstanding bills before releasing vehicles.

Additional bottlenecks include frequent personnel changes without proper handover procedures, slow payment approvals due to multiple administrative layers, and weak coordination between the Chiefs Council, the Ministry of Local Government and Treasury.

The outreach programme is a key component of Government efforts to address the legacy of Gukurahundi, which claimed thousands of lives in the years following independence.

Under the initiative, traditional leaders facilitate community-based truth-telling and reconciliation meetings aimed at promoting healing and closure.

However, critics argue that ongoing funding instability and operational inefficiencies are undermining the programme's credibility and effectiveness, potentially delaying meaningful progress on one of Zimbabwe's most sensitive historical issues.