Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU) has filed an urgent chamber application at the High Court seeking to stop the Gukurahundi community outreach hearings scheduled to begin today, which are to be led by traditional leaders.
In his founding affidavit, ZAPU president Michael Sibangilizwe Nkomo argued that the involvement of traditional leaders in the hearings has no legal basis and could further traumatise victims of the atrocities. He said:
The chiefs, as traditional leaders, have no mandate to lead such a national process. We are of the firm view that the National Council of Chiefs is unlikely to be impartial and unbiased, leading to a regressive outcome.
The application cites President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, and the National Council of Chiefs as respondents.
ZAPU argues that the hearings, launched following a 2019 agreement between the President and the Matabeleland Collective, are unconstitutional.
The party contends that the Matabeleland Collective does not have a legal mandate to represent Gukurahundi victims.
According to court documents, ZAPU had previously petitioned the President to suspend the hearings but received no response.
The party also raised concerns over the closed-door format of the hearings, warning that such an approach could intimidate victims and undermine transparency.
ZAPU is seeking an interim interdict to stop the hearings while the case is being considered by the courts.
The party has proposed an alternative process involving an independent commission, arguing that the current model “protects perpetrators” and fails to deliver meaningful justice.
The High Court is yet to determine whether the matter qualifies as urgent. If granted, the interim order would immediately suspend the hearings pending a final ruling.
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