State Media|PRESIDENT Mnangagwa met chiefs from the Matabeleland region and the Midlands Province at State House here yesterday to discuss a number of issues, including traditional leaders taking a leading role in bringing closure to the Gukurahundi chapter.

Briefing journalists after the closed meeting, the President said he attended the indaba at the invitation of traditional leaders who wanted to share various challenges faced by their respective areas.

He said chiefs argued that it was important for them to play a role as it was their subjects who were affected by Gukurahundi.

“The two provinces have put forward similar methods of dealing with the issue of Gukurahundi,” said President Mnangagwa.

“The major point that has come out is the fact that Gukurahundi affected communities in which they preside as traditional leaders. They are directly affected by the incident of Gukurahundi.

“Therefore, they have made an argument that in its resolution, we should as Government create a platform where the chiefs should participate substantively because it is the communities which they preside over which were affected.”

President Mnangagwa said any other interest groups on the matter should have single platforms where the issues can be discussed and resolutions or way forward agreed.

He said the traditional leaders raised the need for equal opportunities in the recruitment of staff into Government and young people in the security sector.

“There are areas that have been pointed out which are not satisfactory, which I have assured our traditional leaders that the areas that are weak should be corrected so that there is fairness in recruiting people into the security sector,” said President Mnangagwa.

He said the chiefs shared the effects of drought in their areas which negatively impacted on food security.

The traditional leaders, the President said, raised social issues which needed urgent attention such as education, roads infrastructure and the availability or access to clean water.

“These challenges are not only found in these two provinces, they are also prevalent in other provinces, but we have done our best to look at how these issues will be addressed,” said President Mnangagwa.

“Not all will be addressed overnight, some issues lend themselves to quick solutions, others lend themselves to medium and long term solutions, but what is critical is the fact that these challenges have been put forward and I’m happy that the provinces have put their challenges and issues in priority order as to how they can be tackled.

“I think we had an open discussion and last but not least, we all pledge ourselves, Government and communities to unity”.