We condemn with all strongest terms the tribal attack by Shona youth, two days back, that saw Thokozani Khupe pelted with water bottles, slapped and called a prostitute at an MDC T Congress in Harare, Mashonaland.
A woman exercising her democratic right to freedom of speech cannot be a threat to anyone except tribalistic cowards in Mashonaland who do not want to be led by a Matabele person and bent on belittling, humiliating, causing pain and spilling innocent Matabele blood at any given opportunity.
The humiliating event exposed the hypocrisy by the government of Zimbabwe as it happened soon after the Unity Day event to show that there is no such thing as unity in Zimbabwe. It also shows that as Matabele people, Shonas are not, and will never be our brothers and sisters.
The government of Zimbabwe that is the custodian of the so called Unity Accord failed to condemn the tribal attack. Where are the Shona clerics, human rights groups, women’s rights organisations and non- governmental organizations who usually make a deafening noise when a Shona woman is attacked or abused? Yes they are quiet, looking on the side and laughing as it is a hated and unwanted Matabele woman being attacked. They behaved the same way when Matabele people were being dastardly slaughtered by the Zimbabwe National Army 5th Brigade during Matabeleland genocide.
In 2017 Morgan Tsvangirai himself sent Shona youth to beat up Thokozani Khupe for questioning his illegal appointment of Nelson Chamisa and Elias Mudzuri as vice presidents.
In 2018 the Shona youths, sent by another tribalist and coward, Nelson Chamisa, attempted to burn Thokozani Khupe in a thatched hut while she attended Tsvangirai’s funeral. She was told to go back to Matabeleland because Shonas cannot be led by Matabeles. She survived by the skin of her teeth as the rain extinguished the raging fires that were meant to take her life. Also in the same year, she was chased out of Harvest House by the same tribalistic Shona MDC Youth.
As the king of tribalism Chamisa, found it fit and good to abuse and beat up a Matabele woman, Thokozani Khupe soon after taking over MDC leadership through a coup, Douglas Modzora has done the same.
The intention is the same and there is one common enemy, politically and otherwise for Shona people. It is Matabele people. Shonas in their entirety do not want to be lead by a Matabele person, not even on a temporary basis.
That is why in all Zimbabwe political parties, the highest position Matabele can hold is that of second vice president. It is the same order in ZANUPF where Kembo Mohadi is second Vice President. He too was told by Mnangagwa that he will never rule Zimbabwe. He is a darling of the Shona people at the moment as he plays good boy politics. He is not vocal and brave like Khupe, he never questions any decision by his masters, 1st Vice President, Constantino Chiwenga and President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
It is the same order at MDC Alliance where Welshman Ncube (Matabele) is second Vice President. And soon another Matabele will take over as Vice President at MDC T where Mondzora has taken over the presidency after winning elections.
The Shona leaders and their supporters have demonstrated in many ways for 40 long years that they hate Matabele people. This they have said openly in public rallies and meetings for the whole to world hear.
The evil actions like Matabele genocide between 1980 and 1987, tribal marginalisation of Matabele people in all spheres of life and subtle genocide in the form of slaughtering of our languages, culture, identity and dignity demonstrate further the natural and unending tribal hatred against Matabele people.
To wallow in the false belief that we must remain as part of Zimbabwe in the face of these clear evil intentions to destroy our nations is too risky. Wake up and smell the coffee, Matabeles have no future in Zimbabwe!
Whether we like it or not, this leaves us with only one option as Matabele people, that is to restore the statehood of Matabeleland that was destroyed on 3 November 1893.
We know it will never be a walk in the park but we have no choice. For a new baby to be born there should be loss of blood. For a girl to lose her virginity and be prepared for the process of reproduction there should be loss of blood. And we all know that freedom is not cheap, it is bought at the highest price which is our own blood.
We call upon all Matebele MDC-T youth to viciously attack any of the following: Douglas Monzora or Nelson Chamisa next time he sets his foot in Matabeleland. If Mashonaland is a no go zone for Matabele leaders let Matabeleland be a hot furnace for Shona leaders.
Izenzo kungemazwi
Israel Dube
MLO Secretary for Information and Public Affairs