WATCH LIVE: Mnangagwa’s Gukurahundi hearings Fail to Kick Off

July 8, 2025

WATCH LIVE as Gambakwe looks at the announcement that Chief Mtshane Khumalo met Mnangagwa on Thursday to discuss the planned Gukurahundi hearings which failed to take off after heavy resistance on the ground.

This comes after Mnangagwa banned public hearings on Gukurahundi. Mnangagwa also designated Charumbira as the spokesman ahead of the President of the Chief’s council, Chief Mtshane.

Speaking after a meeting in Bulawayo, Charumbira said:

– Hearing start on 26 June

– Start with a panel of 13

– Only victims will be allowed

– Focus will be on compensation and not on truth telling

A court case brought by ZAPU was besieged by police.

ZAPU challenged the government-led Gukurahundi public hearings, arguing they lacked legitimacy and impartiality. Their main points of contention were:

Lack of Legal Mandate: ZAPU believed traditional leaders, though respected, lacked the proper legal authority to lead such a national truth and reconciliation process, advocating for a more independent body.

Impartiality Concerns: Given that thousands of Ndebele-speaking civilians (ZAPU’s traditional base) were killed during Gukurahundi by state forces, ZAPU argued that traditional leaders, often seen as state appointees, could not be truly impartial. They feared a whitewashing of history.

Exclusion of Key Stakeholders: ZAPU pushed for a more inclusive dialogue involving victims, human rights groups, and international experts to ensure diverse perspectives and a victim-centered approach.

Justice and Accountability: ZAPU demanded acknowledgment, accountability for perpetrators, and reparations for victims, expressing doubt that the chiefs’ process, without clear accountability mechanisms, could deliver justice or address the historical lack of redress.

Adequacy of the Process: ZAPU criticized the private nature of the testimony collection by chiefs, arguing that without public acknowledgment, perpetrator involvement, or disclosure of past reports (like the Chihambakwe Commission), the process would fail to achieve genuine closure. They also noted that media were barred, undermining transparency.

The Bulawayo High Court judge denied ZAPU’s urgent application to stop the Gukurahundi public hearings because the case was not deemed urgent. The judge noted that ZAPU had known about the government’s plans for these hearings since at least 2019, following agreements between the President and the Matabeleland Collective. ZAPU’s delay in bringing the legal challenge until July 2025 meant they failed to demonstrate the necessary immediate urgency for the court to intervene. Although ZAPU cited attempts at dialogue with the government as the reason for their delay, the judge found this insufficient to justify the late filing of an urgent application. Consequently, the hearings led by traditional chiefs were permitted to continue.

Please watch the video above this post for more details.