“Mugabe apologises for Gukurahundi” By Carl-Mhlanga 20/04/12

The MDC-T party claims that President Robert Mugabe on Wednesday apologised for his role in the horrific massacres of thousands of Ndebele people between 1983 and 1987. Drawing notes from the president’s speech at the national independence day yesterday, the party issued a statement that Mugabe has ‘apologised’ for the violence caused in the country since 1983. Mugabe’s speech however was seen to have no such apology and the president never stated the word Gukurahundi anywhere as he referred to peace or lack of it only five separate times during which he sometimes focused on continental rather than national peace. The MDC-T party statement read: MDC-T claims Robert Mugabe has apologised for Gukurahundi Violence has been a thorn in the flesh of democracy in the country. It is common knowledge that between 1983 and 1987 thousands of Zimbabweans in Midlands and Matabeleland provinces were killed by the South Korean trained 5th Brigade. Mugabe had never apologised for these atrocities which has for long divided Zimbabweans along political, regional and tribal lines. Mugabe’s admission vindicates MDC’s claims that ZANU (PF) should be held accountable for the politically motivated crimes which the sunset party had been denying. To hear this from a man who, in the past, has turned a blind eye at gross human rights violations and politically motivated violence, gives hope to the people. Since the Movement for Democratic Change’s first participation in national elections in 2000, the Party’s supporters have experienced serious violence at the hands of Zanu PF and state apparatus. Ironically, there is an upsurge of violence countrywide as the Zimbabwe prepares for the referendum scheduled for this year and elections to be held next year. Cases of violence have been reported in Masvingo, Manicaland, Harare (especially Mbare and Sunningdale) and Gokwe where ZANU (PF) supporters have established torture bases similar to the ones witnessed in 2008. MDC believes that if Mugabe’s speech is not cheap politicking it should be supported by action. The people of Zimbabwe deserve the right to exercise their freedoms as enshrined in the Zimbabwean constitution and the Universal declaration of human rights. The MDC believes that Mugabe’s sentiments are meant to woo sympathisers to support this sunset party and its ageing. The electorate should be more conscious of ZANU (PF)’s electioneering antics. In a case of serious politically motivated human rights violations, 29 MDC activists are currently languishing in remand prison for allegedly murdering a police officer in Glen View last May. Some of the activists have been in remand for close to a year. It is the Party’s belief that Zimbabwe cannot develop when democratic principles, including upholding the rule of law, are not being adhered to. People want to enjoy their freedom and live normal lives brought about by the MDC when it formed the GNU.