(Last Updated on June 30, 2021 by ZIMDAILY EDITOR)
MATABELELAND – The Labour, Economists and Afrikan Democrats vice President, Lwazi Moyo-Mbowa has castigated Obert Gutu for ‘insensitive utterances’ on the Gukurahundi massacres.
In a statement, Mbowa said,”As a Gukurahundi survivor I was pained by the insensitive remarks of Commissioner Gutu. It is unfortunate that someone who was never there and never got to experience what we went through during the Gukurahundi era takes time to comment on what they really don’t know and disrespectfully utter words like that.”
Find below the full statement…
It is very disheartening that a whole National Peace and Reconciliation Commission, Commissioner Obert Gutu trivialized the Gukurahundi reconciliation efforts. An apology is not enough to undo his reckless utterances.
As a Gukurahundi survivor I was pained by the insensitive remarks of Commissioner Gutu. It is unfortunate that someone who was never there and never got to experience what we went through during the Gukurahundi era takes time to comment on what they really don’t know and disrespectfully utter words like that.
As the Vice President of Labour, Economists and Afrikan Democrats, we are working tirelessly to get people in Matebeleland to heal and reconcile with other Zimbabweans. Gutu’s unwise sentiments only takes us backwards in our depolarization agenda. We will never disregard Murambatsvina or any other issue that the NPRC is working on and it is really wrong to do so.
Over 20 000 people died, thousands of families disintegrated and thousands injured. We expect maturity, empathy and sincerity by all NPRC commissioners in dealing with the Gukurahundi issue not disrespectful utterances.
Obert Gutu should retract his utterances and I move for his removal as the NPRC’s spokesperson purely because of his carelessness and disrespectful utterances.
I think this commission should include people who were involved during the Gukurahundi era and who know and understand what needs to be done to ensure healing of the scars and wounds of that time which are still fresh in the mind.
As a party we also recommend the government of Zimbabwe to compensate all survivors of the Gukurahundi and to reunite Zimbabweans as one people.
Lwazi Moyo-Mbowa
LEAD Vice President