The MDC formation of former prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai Tuesday called for the resignation of vice president Phelekezela Mphoko following his recent remarks that the Gukurahundi massacres was a conspiracy of the west, thereby exonerating president Robert Mugabe’s involvement.
In a strongly-worded statement, and adding to recent outrage by human rights activists, MDC-T spokesman Obert Gutu says Mphoko’s remarks are, quote, “in extreme bad taste, insensitive, and grossly offensive to both the victims and survivors of the genocide.”
According to the Catholic for Justice and Peace in Zimbabwe, an estimated 20,000 civilians in Matabeleland and Midlands regions lost their lives in the hands of the government’s North Korean-trained Five Brigade Unit in the early 1980’s, where they were said to be tracking-down dissidents.
Gutu told VOA Studio 7 Mphoko’s remarks are unfortunate and ironic, considering that he is also the minister of national healing.
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Interview with Obert Gutu
Meanwhile, pressure group; Ibhetshu Likazulu has filed an urgent chamber application at the Bulawayo High Court challenging the police ban on its Gukurahundi commemorations.