NewsDay
Matabeleland traditional leaders have called for the resignation of former MDC-T vice-president Obert Gutu from the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) claiming he was conflicted and thus could not deal with the emotive Gukurahundi issue.
Gutu is the NPRC spokesperson and on Tuesday courted fire when he said the Gukurahundi issue, which claimed over 20 000 people from Matabeleland and Midlands regions in the 1980s, was “a small tiny fraction of issues” his commission was seized with.
The civilians were massacred by a crack army unit deployed to the region by then Prime Minister Robert Mugabe to flush out perceived PF-Zapu dissidents.
Yesterday, traditional leaders joined human rights groups in condemning Gutu, describing his statements as retrogressive and malicious to the founding principles of the NPRC.
Chief Mathema of Gwanda said Gutu was not adding any value to the NPRC and should resign with immediate effect.
“He (Gutu) lacks the calibre required for this emotive genocide,” Chief Mathema said.
“He is not a serious person and he lacks depth in approaching the Gukurahubndi issue. He should better excuse himself from this important commission that people hope will solve most of their problems that relate to Gukurahundi. He lacks insight into human nature.”
President Emmerson Mnangagwa last year tasked the traditional leaders in Matabeleland and Midlands regions to preside over the emotive issue and consult affected citizens on the way forward.
