The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) formation led by Morgan Tsvangirai says Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko should immediately step down for alleging that the Fifth Brigade atrocities in the1980s were a conspiracy of the West.
Reacting to Mr. Mphoko’s remarks at Great Zimbabwe that President Robert Mugabe had nothing to do with the atrocities, the MDC-T said it found it totally appalling that this was the second time is making what the party claims to be irresponsible, insensitive and reckless statements about the killings.
The MDC-T said what is also shocking is that the vice president hails from Matabeleland region where more than 20,000 people were killed by the country’s North Korean-trained Fifth Brigade, which brutalized the PF Zapu president, Joshua Nkomo’s supporters at the height of clashes between his party and President Robert Mugabe’s ruling Zanu PF.
Tsvangirai’s party further said it is an unmitigated insult to the victims and the survivors of the Gukurahundi genocide for Mphoko to falsely and heartlessly claim that Gukurahundi was a conspiracy by the West.
The MDC-T said indications are that Mphoko is singing for his supper and as a result, he should resign for uttering these remarks. Mphoko was not reachable for comment.
Party spokesman, Obert Gutu, told VOA Studio 7 the vice president is angering people of Matabeleland and the Midlands provinces that were affected by the atrocities.
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Interview With Obert Gutu on VP Mphoko's Remarks
But Zanu PF activist and political commentator, Morris Ngwenya, said Mphoko's remarks have appeared in some research done by certain academics.
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Interview With Morris Ngwenya on Mphoko's Remarks