Own Correspondent

Captured Matabeleland Collective leader Jenny Williams has showered unprecedented praises for Matabeleland genocide leaders Emmerson Mnangagwa and the late commander of the Gukurahundi army Perence Shiri for what she called a commitment to tackling the emotive Gukurahundi issue as well as committing to solving the regional historical challenges through completion of stalled projects such as the Zambezi Water Project.

Mnangagwa was in Bulawayo on Saturday and engaged civic society organisations represented by the Matabeleland Collective.

In an interview after the meeting, Williams said the Mnangagwa had demonstrated willingness to solve problems bedevilling the region in a short space of time.

“His Excellency’s commitment is quite significant because this meeting was called at very short notice. His line ministries are coming in and we are moving,” she said.

Williams went on to mourn the passing on of Shiri which a great majority of Matabeleland celebrated because of his brutality as he led Gukurahundi during the 1980s.

Shiri, then known as Black Jesus, ordered for the killing of over 20 000 people in the region.

“Unfortunately, we recently lost a key Minister of Lands and Water, Perrance Shiri. Now we are now waiting for the new minister to put his gloves on. The issue of Zambezi Water Project is one of the key issues for engagement.

“The equalisation of the people of Matabeleland must be realised through ensuring the completion of the Zambezi Water Project, that will make our people see that something is being done.”

Part of challenges from Gukurahundi is the significant number of people and families who need birth and death certificates. Williams said she was dragging Mnangagwa to the Matopos area where the highest number of people were murdered by Gukurahundi at Bhalagwe concentration camp.

“The President created a dispensation that they will ensure there will be free documentation for people who were affected by Gukurahundi and in general, the people of Matabeleland. Most of the issues have been addressed and we are now wanting to launch this project in Matopos, because that is the centre,” said Ms Williams.

“Sometimes there are whole generations that don’t have birth certificates or any documentation. So as we identify the beneficiaries, the Registrar General will bring a mobile team to make sure the reality of a document in the hands of the people is actually realised,” said Ms Williams.