By Chrispen Tabvura
ZimEye Correspondent
In yet another scathing attack on Zimbabwe’s president Robert Mugabe, who recently celebrated his 91 years in the resort town of Matabeleland, its community are extremely demanding an apology for rape and brutality perpetrated by 5th Brigade soldiers during Gukurahundi.
Retired Lt Colonel Ray Ndlovu’s sentiments during BUYA (Bulawayo Youth Unemployment Agenda) presser revealed that the tribal war between Shonas and Ndebeles is far from over.
“Mugabe must address the nation on rape and killings that affected Ndebeles after he ordered soldiers to do so from 1982 until 1987. Those soldiers raped and impregnated our women and left their daughters and sons who are now Ndebele speaking not by choice. Mugabe must say sorry to us and we are more than ready to listen to his voice of apology,” said retired Lt Ndlovu.
Mqondisi Moyo, the president of Mthwakazi State political party, echoed the same sentiments and opened what he called a can of worms.
“Mugabe and his accomplices designed what was called the grand plan to eliminate Ndebele speaking people and all their families, so that he would face no resistance in whatever he wanted in Bulawayo. We now have Shonas who are Ndebele speaking in all parts of Bulawayo state, because they were brought up by their raped mothers,” said an emotional Moyo.
However, Zenzo Nyoni, the Chairperson of the youth employment seekers (BUYA), told ZimEye.com that, his organisation will not sit and cry expecting Mugabe to reform, as this may take a lifetime linger. “We are already fighting unemployment in Bulawayo and the entire region, since Mugabe has openly declared war on Bulawayo youths, by relocating companies to Harare. We are aware that this was planned way back in 1979, that Ndebeles must suffer,” he said amid applause from the audience.
32 Replies to “‘Mugabe must apologise for Rape’-Retired Lt Colonel Ndlovu”
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Baba Chatunga if more people had wisdom like you we could be very far as a nation. Tribalism is not an issue to take lightly. We have seen its terrible results in many African countries including our own Zimbabwe. We need to engage in these issues carefully and wisely. They are a time bomb if ignored. I agree with you fully that a lot of these so called Ndebeles of which some of them do not have even a drop of Ndebele blood in their veins are the main challenge in Matebeleland. They are suffering from terrible identity crisis. Their mind tells them they are Ndebeles when their DNA cry Shona identity. Both Shonas and my good original Ndebeles need to be wary of these when dealing with issues of tribalism. I am talking from experiance. My wife is Ndebele and I have suffered terrible tribal insults not from Ndebeles original but my own blood brothers who do not know who they are. The Gumbos, the Moyos etc. Thumb up baba Chatunga
Baba Chatunga if more people had wisdom like you we could be very far as a nation. Tribalism is not an issue to take lightly. We have seen its terrible results in many African countries including our own Zimbabwe. We need to engage in these issues carefully and wisely. They are a time bomb if ignored. I agree with you fully that a lot of these so called Ndebeles of which some of them do not have even a drop of Ndebele blood in their veins are the main challenge in Matebeleland. They are suffering from terrible identity crisis. Their mind tells them they are Ndebeles when their DNA cry Shona identity. Both Shonas and my good original Ndebeles need to be wary of these when dealing with issues of tribalism. I am talking from experiance. My wife is Ndebele and I have suffered terrible tribal insults not from Ndebeles original but my own blood brothers who do not know who they are. The Gumbos, the Moyos etc. Thumb up baba Chatunga
Well, well, well here is one man who has said it all and I 100% support that we change these tribal names to some names neutral. As long as these type of names exist tribal entightlement will never end. Well said I which this thought be supported vigorously
Well, well, well here is one man who has said it all and I 100% support that we change these tribal names to some names neutral. As long as these type of names exist tribal entightlement will never end. Well said I which this thought be supported vigorously
Masvingo?
Masvingo?
True and sadly for boys like Moyo, they have have shona blood running through their veins. His ancestors were “the little shona boys brought back by the raiding eNdebele impis” as described by Selous, whom he saw at Lobengula’s court competing with dogs for left overs at the “king’s court”. His ancestors will scream in their graves to here such venom spewing from his mouth.
True and sadly for boys like Moyo, they have have shona blood running through their veins. His ancestors were “the little shona boys brought back by the raiding eNdebele impis” as described by Selous, whom he saw at Lobengula’s court competing with dogs for left overs at the “king’s court”. His ancestors will scream in their graves to here such venom spewing from his mouth.
And if you are a Shona who lives in Matebeleland and you do not speak Ndebele, the “indigenous” people complain, arguing that “amasvinas” think that their language is superior. Now the Shonas have made Ndebele their language, the same people complain again. Let us not pretend that Ndebele is the only language spoken in Matebeleland. There are other tribes that also complain of Ndebele hegemony. Sothos, Xosas, Tswanas, Nambias, Tongas and Vendas are lumped as Ndebeles when they are clearly not. It is high time our provinces are given non-tribal names. Midlands is the only clean name among all the provinces. And it is not surprising that you find a melting pot of cultures,
And if you are a Shona who lives in Matebeleland and you do not speak Ndebele, the “indigenous” people complain, arguing that “amasvinas” think that their language is superior. Now the Shonas have made Ndebele their language, the same people complain again. Let us not pretend that Ndebele is the only language spoken in Matebeleland. There are other tribes that also complain of Ndebele hegemony. Sothos, Xosas, Tswanas, Nambias, Tongas and Vendas are lumped as Ndebeles when they are clearly not. It is high time our provinces are given non-tribal names. Midlands is the only clean name among all the provinces. And it is not surprising that you find a melting pot of cultures,
The argument of “pure origin” is stupid. All social grouping is arbitrary or socially created so there almost nothing natural about it. To complain that there are lots of Ndebele speaking Shonas is to announce one’s stupidity. Its to admit that their desire to have a “pure” tribe is impossible so they are angry. Like all identity issues the Ndebele identity is defined by what it is not (ie Shona, Manyika, Karanga etc.) its constitutive other but is threatened by the same… These Ndebele guys must learn to tolerate other tribes.
The argument of “pure origin” is stupid. All social grouping is arbitrary or socially created so there almost nothing natural about it. To complain that there are lots of Ndebele speaking Shonas is to announce one’s stupidity. Its to admit that their desire to have a “pure” tribe is impossible so they are angry. Like all identity issues the Ndebele identity is defined by what it is not (ie Shona, Manyika, Karanga etc.) its constitutive other but is threatened by the same… These Ndebele guys must learn to tolerate other tribes.
Hallellujah!! It is as if all people who live in Matebeleland are Ndebeles. What rubbish! A Zimbabwean must be free to live wherever he/she wants. There are so many Ndebeles who live in rural Manicaland, for example. And I am talking of original Ndebeles, not amaholes. We have the Dhlomos, the Bebhes, the Malungas and the Mthimukulus. Noone has ever thought of removing them and they will not be removed. They live in harmony with their Shona neighbours. They speak their language freely. Sure this Shona-Ndebele nonsense must come to an end. But the Shonas in Matebeleland, Bulawayo in particular, are the ones fanning this spirit. This is confirmed by the names that are on the forefront, the Nyonis, the Ndlovus, the Dubes and even the Musavenganas. Sad indeed.
Hallellujah!! It is as if all people who live in Matebeleland are Ndebeles. What rubbish! A Zimbabwean must be free to live wherever he/she wants. There are so many Ndebeles who live in rural Manicaland, for example. And I am talking of original Ndebeles, not amaholes. We have the Dhlomos, the Bebhes, the Malungas and the Mthimukulus. Noone has ever thought of removing them and they will not be removed. They live in harmony with their Shona neighbours. They speak their language freely. Sure this Shona-Ndebele nonsense must come to an end. But the Shonas in Matebeleland, Bulawayo in particular, are the ones fanning this spirit. This is confirmed by the names that are on the forefront, the Nyonis, the Ndlovus, the Dubes and even the Musavenganas. Sad indeed.
For as long as one has not identified and verified his/her enemy,it is difficult to fight it and moreso win the war. Who has ever asked the “dissidents” what caused them to desert ? Why does everyone who feels like speak for or against them and not with them ? This is why you do not even understand that Gukurahundi was not about the Shona against the Ndebele.It was ZANU using tribalism to kill people and what you are doing to each other on this forum and indeed in the country is exactly where Mugabe wanted you for him to remain untouchable.I even do not understand why people want to associate “dissidents” with Gukurahundi attrocities, why people cannot separate ZANU from the Shona people some of whom have been victims of ZANU since its formation. Some of us are sick and tired of this Ndebele/Shona nonsense.What do you want us baKalanga to do ? To choose to be either Shona or Ndebele ? Forget Tanyala ne habwa ye mahuba ose !
For as long as one has not identified and verified his/her enemy,it is difficult to fight it and moreso win the war. Who has ever asked the “dissidents” what caused them to desert ? Why does everyone who feels like speak for or against them and not with them ? This is why you do not even understand that Gukurahundi was not about the Shona against the Ndebele.It was ZANU using tribalism to kill people and what you are doing to each other on this forum and indeed in the country is exactly where Mugabe wanted you for him to remain untouchable.I even do not understand why people want to associate “dissidents” with Gukurahundi attrocities, why people cannot separate ZANU from the Shona people some of whom have been victims of ZANU since its formation. Some of us are sick and tired of this Ndebele/Shona nonsense.What do you want us baKalanga to do ? To choose to be either Shona or Ndebele ? Forget Tanyala ne habwa ye mahuba ose !
We thank you these gallant heroes for standing up against the Adolf of Hitler (Mugabe) and Idi Amin risking your lives by speaking out openly, Hitler’s dogs CIO are watching you everywhere (blood) thirsty dogs (vampires). God will punish these vampires for all the thousands of Ndebeles which was shed by Mugabe and his vampires. Salute you comrades and amandla to the Ndebele heroes who shed their blood innocently with their only crime being a Ndebele in Zimbabwe. Mateleland has been neglected since 1980 with the only development being few clinics.
We thank you these gallant heroes for standing up against the Adolf of Hitler (Mugabe) and Idi Amin risking your lives by speaking out openly, Hitler’s dogs CIO are watching you everywhere (blood) thirsty dogs (vampires). God will punish these vampires for all the thousands of Ndebeles which was shed by Mugabe and his vampires. Salute you comrades and amandla to the Ndebele heroes who shed their blood innocently with their only crime being a Ndebele in Zimbabwe. Mateleland has been neglected since 1980 with the only development being few clinics.
No one has ever said dissidents were justified. How was a yet to be born child in her mothers womb a dissident? what justification is there for the army to drive an entire village into huts and then set those huts on fire. How was a 70 year old man sitting in a church in Bulawayo who had never held gun a dissident who deserved to be taken from him church and be brutally murdered? If Gukurahundi was because of the Nguni invasions of the 19th century then these Ndebeles are justified. One day it will be their turn to revenge. It is a gospel to preach to every one. Rhodesians never cut open wombs of blacks because their children would be terrorists. Zanupf supporters did so under the orders of Robert Mugabe.
What is important though for Ndebeles to understand is that the Shonas were helped by some Ndebeles such as Simayedwa Khumalo of Nkayi, Enos Nkala, members of the special branch of the former Rhodesian Police, Mark Dube, Obert Mpofu and obviously the newly appointed and current Vice-President, John Nkomo and other former Zipras such as Maseko. It is also true that some Zapu supporting Zimbabweans were killed.
Dissidents killed people but many dissidents were eliminated by ZNA and the ZRP Support Unit. These wings of the security forces were supported by the people even if they were predominantly Shona. Some units were commanded by Ndebele speaking former Zipra who were looking for armed bandits and not cutting open wombs of pregnant women like the Gukurahundi rapists and genocide perpetrators.
No one has ever said dissidents were justified. How was a yet to be born child in her mothers womb a dissident? what justification is there for the army to drive an entire village into huts and then set those huts on fire. How was a 70 year old man sitting in a church in Bulawayo who had never held gun a dissident who deserved to be taken from him church and be brutally murdered? If Gukurahundi was because of the Nguni invasions of the 19th century then these Ndebeles are justified. One day it will be their turn to revenge. It is a gospel to preach to every one. Rhodesians never cut open wombs of blacks because their children would be terrorists. Zanupf supporters did so under the orders of Robert Mugabe.
What is important though for Ndebeles to understand is that the Shonas were helped by some Ndebeles such as Simayedwa Khumalo of Nkayi, Enos Nkala, members of the special branch of the former Rhodesian Police, Mark Dube, Obert Mpofu and obviously the newly appointed and current Vice-President, John Nkomo and other former Zipras such as Maseko. It is also true that some Zapu supporting Zimbabweans were killed.
Dissidents killed people but many dissidents were eliminated by ZNA and the ZRP Support Unit. These wings of the security forces were supported by the people even if they were predominantly Shona. Some units were commanded by Ndebele speaking former Zipra who were looking for armed bandits and not cutting open wombs of pregnant women like the Gukurahundi rapists and genocide perpetrators.
May you please play the ball and not the man. Present facts and do not engage in character assassination. This is an important forum for finding solutions to some of our problems as a country and it is wrong to trivialize it as you do.
May you please play the ball and not the man. Present facts and do not engage in character assassination. This is an important forum for finding solutions to some of our problems as a country and it is wrong to trivialize it as you do.
I get surprised by the infantile, emotional and self-defeating arguments advanced for the correction/atonement of Gukurahundi atrocities but there are certain harsh realities that we must confront, no matter how unpalatable and painful:
[a] Ndebeles should not just posture as defenceless victims of Shona brutality during 1982-87; they must also remember that it’s historical FACT that maDzvitis also used to raid MaSvinas periodically for women/girls, cattle, grain & manpower to boost the impis.
[b] Gukurahundi was not just about Shonas terrorising defenceless Ndebeles. White tourists driving from Vic Falls were killed at Gwayi river bridge.The aspect of dissidents has not been fully explored: surely these were not fictional??!! Who was sponsoring them and for what purpose??!! What about the buildings, road equipment and other infrastructure destroyed by dissidents for no other reason than that it was “govt property”??!!
[c] why is easier for blacks to forgive the whites for the unspeakable atrocities committed during the war at Freedom Camp, Mkushi, Nyadzonya, Chimoio, etc than to forgive each other for the inter-tribal conflicts??!! True justice says if Mugabe should appear at the Hague for “crimes against humanity”, so must the Selous Scouts & Rhodesians like Bennett, Cross, Ian Kay, etc!!
I get surprised by the infantile, emotional and self-defeating arguments advanced for the correction/atonement of Gukurahundi atrocities but there are certain harsh realities that we must confront, no matter how unpalatable and painful:
[a] Ndebeles should not just posture as defenceless victims of Shona brutality during 1982-87; they must also remember that it’s historical FACT that maDzvitis also used to raid MaSvinas periodically for women/girls, cattle, grain & manpower to boost the impis.
[b] Gukurahundi was not just about Shonas terrorising defenceless Ndebeles. White tourists driving from Vic Falls were killed at Gwayi river bridge.The aspect of dissidents has not been fully explored: surely these were not fictional??!! Who was sponsoring them and for what purpose??!! What about the buildings, road equipment and other infrastructure destroyed by dissidents for no other reason than that it was “govt property”??!!
[c] why is easier for blacks to forgive the whites for the unspeakable atrocities committed during the war at Freedom Camp, Mkushi, Nyadzonya, Chimoio, etc than to forgive each other for the inter-tribal conflicts??!! True justice says if Mugabe should appear at the Hague for “crimes against humanity”, so must the Selous Scouts & Rhodesians like Bennett, Cross, Ian Kay, etc!!
For this problem to be solved. Let’s start with the causes of inthumbane war. We need to understand the root causes,otherwise this will problem will not be resolved until memorial time. Both Ndebele and shonas needs to repent for the sins of their four fathers. It seems here Ndebele guys are the once crying foul yet,they did participate at the beginning of the fracas. What I don’t condone are the outcomes.
For this problem to be solved. Let’s start with the causes of inthumbane war. We need to understand the root causes,otherwise this will problem will not be resolved until memorial time. Both Ndebele and shonas needs to repent for the sins of their four fathers. It seems here Ndebele guys are the once crying foul yet,they did participate at the beginning of the fracas. What I don’t condone are the outcomes.
As long as it is the Moyos, Nyonis and Ndlovus who lead in Matebeleland, then nothing will change because these guys are Shonas, amaholes. Is it coincidence that they lead and are more vocal than the Mabenas, Mgunis or Gumedes? In my stay in Bulawayo, I noted that the real Ndebeles are not as tribalist as the amalgamates.
It is regrettable that there is something called Gukurahundi in the history of our country. Unless there is an open debate on this emotive issue, its ugly head shall always rise regardless of how we try to suppress it. And it shall always present an excuse for opportunists to divide Zimbabweans on tribal lines. I therefore call upon our leaders to relent and allow citizens to discuss this issue openly. In as much as it may open old wounds, I belief the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages. I am convinced that this will guarantee peace and national healing. Let us as a country try to use the word “sorry” as much as possible.
As long as it is the Moyos, Nyonis and Ndlovus who lead in Matebeleland, then nothing will change because these guys are Shonas, amaholes. Is it coincidence that they lead and are more vocal than the Mabenas, Mgunis or Gumedes? In my stay in Bulawayo, I noted that the real Ndebeles are not as tribalist as the amalgamates.
It is regrettable that there is something called Gukurahundi in the history of our country. Unless there is an open debate on this emotive issue, its ugly head shall always rise regardless of how we try to suppress it. And it shall always present an excuse for opportunists to divide Zimbabweans on tribal lines. I therefore call upon our leaders to relent and allow citizens to discuss this issue openly. In as much as it may open old wounds, I belief the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages. I am convinced that this will guarantee peace and national healing. Let us as a country try to use the word “sorry” as much as possible.
Cheninga uri mboko. Mugabe must apologies there is no right way of doing wrong. Duzvi remunhu
Cheninga uri mboko. Mugabe must apologies there is no right way of doing wrong. Duzvi remunhu
Who raped the shonas during the Madzviti brutality?
Who raped the shonas during the Madzviti brutality?