The late General Solomon Mujuru
The opposition leader also indicated that she will reverse all adverse Zanu PF economic policies, including the Indigenisation Act, but denied looting diamonds when she was President Robert Mugabe’s number two.
Mujuru, in several interviews previously, has claimed Mugabe had clandestinely had a crack “Zezuru-only” brigade trained by North Koreans behind the back of members of his Cabinet. The campaign by the elite unit reportedly left over 20 000 civilians dead under the guise of hunting down a handful of armed dissidents.
But Mugabe’s ex-number two was yesterday forced into a spectacular and embarrassing volte-face during an interview on the BBC’s HARDTalk programme with anchor Stephen Sucker.
“Let’s look at the record, you were a minister during the massacres of thousands of people, Gukurahundi, Matabeleland people killed, you knew it, you knew it, but you did not say a word against it,” Sucker queried.
In response, Mujuru sheepishly retorted: “I did not say a word against it, but those were executive orders that were used by the Fifth Brigade. With an executive person, what else would you do?”
But her interlocutor accused her of “not making any sense” by having worked for the same man (Mugabe) she suspected or knew was behind the death of her husband Retired General Solomon Mujuru (pictured).
Just a few days ago, Mujuru claimed Mugabe had sole control over the 5 Brigade such that even her late
husband Solomon, who was head of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces at the time, was in the dark. The opposition leader also claimed during a meeting with women in the Diaspora that Mugabe had ordered former army colonel Beta Guveya to “recruit a Zezurus-only brigade from Zvimba”, the President’s rural home.
Mujuru this week also told her audience in London that when she visited Matabeleland during the disturbances, she had a vehicle breakdown and only got to know lately that she had been assisted by “dissidents”.
The former VP told Sucker she was against the destruction of urban settlements by government in 2005. – Newsday
The problem here which troubles me most is the fact that people hide behind the figures here. A lot happened during that time and both sides have things to hide, Both ZAPU PFand ZANU PF have things they don’t want mentioned. So we want to criticize about Gukurahundi we need to look at what transpired that time.
I really can’t say every thing here but people needs to make unbiased analyses. ZAPU had and remained with a military wing and that military wing was what constitutes dissidents (ZAPU secret military wing). Like ZAPU even ZANU had a secret military wing but it was quickly disbanded because it was gained power and it was not necessary to maintain. Looking at this scenario its still the most prudent way considering the fact that no one could trust anyone that time (1980s).
Because we don’t know the truth people have the tendency of saying things without full information and knowledge about the things they say. I urge to first understand the situation from both side after that then one will be qualified to comment.
retire & repent Joyce …
Fall on your sword Joice. Just like all the other Zanu PF supporters, you are as much responsible for all the wrong things that have been done by your party. We will one day call you to account, and will surely demand our pound of flesh!
Joi is laughing stock, power hungry and big headed leader who is irresponsible. She is shamelessly fading each day hence losing political relevance.