by Tawanda Musariri

The public hearings into the events of the August incidents in Harare are headed for Bulawayo later this week to solicit for information from witnesses and interested parties in the matter.

The inquiry, which sat for four consecutive days in Harare beginning Tuesday last week, worked overtime daily as respondents made a beeline to be heard before the seven member panel of commissioners.

Chairman of the Commission, former South African President Kgalema Mothlante told the media Friday that it was necessary to go to other cities to hold the same hearings since it was highly possible that other important persons to this matter may be staying nearer to or in those cities. After Bulawayo and Gweru, the inquiry will head to Mutare before reverting to Harare for the final leg which will sit beginning 10 November.

"We wish to announce that the Commission will today the 19th of October 2018  adjourn its hearings in Harare, thereafter we will conduct hearings on the 26th and 27th of October 2018 in Bulawayo and Gweru respectively. The Commission plans to visit Mutare and to continue with the public hearings in Harare from the 10th of November 2018. We will be hearing especially from the army and the police then," said honourable Mothlante.

The Commission has so far combed evidence from 34 oral evidence witnesses, 85 individuals' written testimonies, 11 organisations' written submissions, video footage and photographs. The Commission has also visited 11 places in the Harare CBD mentioned by key and majority witnesses.