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Mkhululi Ncube, [email protected]

THE National Chiefs Council (NCC) has finished the training of more than 1 000 people that will assist chiefs during the Gukurahundi hearings in Matabeleland provinces starting next month.

The NCC president, Chief Fortune Charumbira said each of the 72 chiefs in Matabeleland region will have a panel of 13 members comprising of people with various skills to assist in information gathering.

President of the Chiefs Council Chief Fortune Charumbira and his deputy chief Mtshane Khumalo yesterday attended gukurahundi hearings with stakeholders in Bulawayo 

He said their last training was held yesterday in Bulawayo, paving the way for the hearings to start in Matabeleland provinces and thereafter the hearings will move to the Midlands province.

“A panel of 14 including the chief was agreed by all the chiefs from the two provinces at a workshop. It will comprise women, elders who know the culture of the area, church leaders, youth representatives, two rapporteurs and professional counsellors to provide counselling services during the hearings,” said Chief Charumbira.

He said 1 008 people were trained to assist the chiefs during the hearings.
“We need laptops and recording equipment for the hearings and once these are availed by Government, we can start as early as end of September,” said Chief Charumbira.

He said after Matabeleland provinces, the hearings will move to the Midlands where part of the province was affected.
Chief Charumbira said during the hearings the panel of chiefs will be moving from place to place reduce distances walked by people who will be giving evidence.

Stakeholders follow proceedings at the Gukurahundi hearings in Bulawayo yesterday.

“For planning purposes, we are looking at about two to three months to conclude the hearings. It could be earlier depending on how many people are going to come forward,” he said.

Chief Charumbira said the main purpose of the hearings will be to collect information from victims. He said the hearings will therefore not be open to people from outside the affected communities in order to maintain confidentiality and curb disruptions.

“This information will be recorded by our rapporteurs using various equipment and the information will be submitted to our council,” he said.
Chief Charumbira said the final report and recommendations will be submitted to the President.

“We don’t envisage people observing the hearings because this is not an election. There are no contestants in these hearings,” he said.
Chief Charumbira said the council was aware that some of the issues that maybe submitted will just be for the panel and council.

“Strangers are therefore not welcome at the hearings in order to maintain confidentiality as well as avoid individuals that might just want to disrupt the hearings,” he said.

Chief Charumbira appealed to Zimbabweans to take the process seriously and support it by cooperating with the teams conducting the hearings. — @themkhust