Staff Reporter

President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday took a bold stance by declaring that tribalism, regionalism and ethnic hostiles have no place in Zimbabwe. He made the remarks, whilst launching of the Community Engagement with Traditional Leaders in Bulawayo.

The President reiterated that Zimbabwe is determined to build a nation, that acted in unison and spoke with one voice.

“Today, we make an unapologetic statement to the effect that tribalism; regionalism and ethnic hostilities have no place in our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe. We are determined to build as one nation, acting in unison and speaking with one clear voice. From Zambezi to Limpopo, Plumtree to Mutare, as a unitary State, under one flag, singing one national anthem,” he said.

President Mnangagwa bemoaned divisive machinations employed by the nation’s detractors and opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) despite Government’s attempts to achieve national unity.  He reiterated that some political parties have since turned Gukurahundi into a political weapon, which they deploy in the regions of Matabeleland and Midlands in order to gain political mileage for selfish ends.

“Despite our determination to achieve unity, our nation has not been spared of the divisive machinations of our detractors who seek to drive a wedge between our people, and generally destabilise our country. The Gukurahundi issue has provided fertile ground for those who seek to retain us in a locked position of perpetual conflict and acrimony. Some political formations have sought to use the Gukurahundi issue as a political weapon which they deploy in the regions of Matabeleland and Midlands in order to gain political mileage for selfish political ends,” the President said.

He implored Zimbabweans to remain vigilant and disregard any attempts by any grouping or political party, which seek to gain political mileage through the Gukurahundi issue.

In March 2022, at White City Stadium, in Bulawayo, CCC leader, Nelson Chamisa alleged that, only he could resolve the Gukurahundi issue as he claimed that ZANU PF had no will to resolve the matter. Chamisa has however declined to be part of Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD), which is a platform used to map out resolutions for matters of national interest. POLAD is currently engaged with Traditional Leaders in on-going deliberations of the Gukurahundi issue.