By Sydney Barson| Members of the Umthwakazi Republic movement have once again disrupted the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) meeting for Matabeleland North Province in Lupane, Monday.
A similar process was last week disrupted in Bulawayo.
The meeting which was supposed to commence at 10:00 am failed to kick off as bussed and seemingly drunk placard carrying Umthwakazi members went on stage and started singing and toyi-toying chanting anti – Shona tirades demanding that Shona commissioners leave the hall.
Lupane West legislator Martin Khumalo said the movement has unfairly disadvantaged people of Matabeleland North province of their right to participate.
“I am greatly disappointed by these disrespectful youths bent on disturbing an important process meant to raise critical issues and finding ways of healing the wounds of the past.” said Khumalo.
Charles Thomas of Umthwakazi Republic said the planned national healing meeting would not proceed if the Shona speaking commissioners were still present. They argued that the commission is predominantly Shona.
Efforts by Chief Absolom Gumede and Chief Menyezwa to rein the group were in vein.
Catholic priest Reverend Father Marko Mkandla also tried to reason with the group but they insisted the meeting would not proceed as long as the Shona commissioners were in the room.
Commissioner Geoffrey Chada an NPRC member said the commission has a constitutional mandate which it got through a national referendum process and will respect the will of the people.
Said Chada: “We are not giving up, we are only messengers. We have a responsibility to parliament. We are here to listen to issues from the communities. We don’t have answers, answers will come from the communities.”
The mission of the commission is to heal divisions of the past, reconcile communities and create a shared future that binds Zimbabweans together.
The NPRC chaired by retired Justice Selo Maselo Nare who is yet to take oath of office include the following Commissioners, Patience Chiradza, Netty Musanhu, Choice Ndoro, Geoffrey Chada, Charles Masunungure, Leslie Ncube, and Godfrey Chekenyere.