Sikhulekelani Moyo, Zimpapers News Hub
THE National Chiefs Council has announced that the Government is prepared to compensate victims of Gukurahundi, with the long-awaited community hearings officially set to begin on June 26.
This development follows a meeting in Bulawayo on Saturday between the Steering Committee of the Gukurahundi Community Engagement Outreach Programme and traditional chiefs from Matabeleland, where final logistical arrangements for the rollout were discussed.
Speaking at a press conference in Bulawayo yesterday, National Chiefs Council Vice President, Chief Fortune Charumbira — speaking on behalf of the Council’s President, Chief Mtshane Khumalo — said the Council has spent over four years preparing to engage with communities and hear their experiences.
He said that the process began with an awareness campaign, which ran from May 27 to June 5, allowing chiefs to inform their communities that President Mnangagwa had opened the door for dialogue on Gukurahundi and encouraged people to make submissions through their local chiefs.
“The Government is ready to compensate. That is why we are urging those who suffered loss or harm during Gukurahundi to come forward and approach their chiefs. The hearings will begin on June 26, and we expect each chief to listen to the victims in their area,” said Chief Charumbira.
He said that the Steering Committee had met on Friday to finalise logistical matters and on Saturday, all chiefs from Matabeleland North and South were given the opportunity to report on the outcomes of the awareness campaign and raise any outstanding logistical concerns.
President Mnangagwa entrusted traditional leaders with leading the process as part of broader national healing efforts. He officially launched the Gukurahundi public hearings programme in July last year, empowering chiefs to conduct the hearings.
Chief Charumbira emphasised that the hearings would be held in camera to protect victims’ privacy.
“These are not public hearings. Each victim will have their own session and may invite a few family members.
During the hearing, the chief will preside over a panel of 13, including two to three elders from the community. We have also included religious leaders — pastors and reverends — from the local area. Women and youths are represented too, as we are building peace for the future, and the youth must understand the issues and how we are resolving them,” he said.
Each hearing will also include two rapporteurs responsible for recording submissions in various formats — audio, visual and written — as well as a community-based chancellor, recognising the importance of cultural context in addressing such sensitive matters. The chiefs will be responsible for safeguarding the recording equipment, including laptops, iPads, recorders and cameras.
“Yesterday, the supreme body of the National Chiefs Council was briefed and approved the entire programme.
“They confirmed that the outreach will begin on June 26. In terms of procedure, we are now satisfied that the Council has endorsed the programme.
“The hearings are expected to run for three to six months, but we aim not to exceed six months,” stated Chief Charumbira.
Initiated in February 2019, the Government’s approach to resolving the Gukurahundi issue is rooted in a home-grown, community-led process that promotes national unity. The Second Republic has demonstrated a strong commitment to healing and reconciliation, aligning with President Mnangagwa’s vision of building a united nation.
A Command Centre has been established at First Mutual Building in Bulawayo to co-ordinate and support the process. This will serve as the operational hub for the hearings.
The upcoming community hearings aim to provide a safe platform for victims to share their experiences, fostering national healing, reconciliation and unity.
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