Now that we know... A case for a community-driven national reconciliation process Researched and written by: Samuel Maruta & Stembile Mpofu Content reviewed by: Monila Kuchena & Simon Badza Copyedited by: B. C. Chitsike Published and distributed by: Centre for Conflict Management and Transformation P O Box A1755, Avondale Harare Zimbabwe. Copyright ©Centre for Conflict Management and Transformation, 2004 2 Peace Pledge From now on I shall be at peace with my neighbour. Together we shall banish political violence; Together we shall work for our common good; Together we shall help build our community; Together we shall raise our children in harmony so that Together we shall live in happiness. Never again shall we allow politics to make us enemies of each other. Samuel Maruta 2004 3 Contents Foreword Acknowledgements Map of Zimbabwe Abbreviations CHAPTER 1: Introduction. 1.1 Background to the study ............................................................................................. 9 1.2 Reconciliation as a conflict resolution mechanism ............................................ 9 1.3 Lessons from other countries .................................................................................. 15 1.4 The research study ...................................................................................................... 17 CHAPTER 2: Listening to our voices: Popular perceptions of the major conflicts in Zimbabwe. 2.1 Introduction. .................................................................................................................. 22 2.2 Mashonaland Central Province ............................................................................... 23 2.3 Mashonaland West Province .................................................................................... 28 2.4 Matebeleland South Province .................................................................................. 31 2.5 Midlands Province ....................................................................................................... 33 2.6 Bulawayo ........................................................................................................................ 39 2.7 Gweru .............................................................................................................................. 44 2.8 Harare .............................................................................................................................. 48 2.9 Mutare ............................................................................................................................. 53 CHAPTER 3: Taking another look: An overview of the conflict history of Zimbabwe. 3.1 Introduction. .................................................................................................................. 57 3.2 Pre-colonial tribal wars .............................................................................................. 58 3.3 Colonial subjugation and domination. ................................................................. 62 3.4 The liberation struggle and war .............................................................................. 67 3.5 The Matebeleland gukurahundi war ..................................................................... 77 3.6 The land redistribution .............................................................................................. 84 3.7 Inter-party struggles for power ............................................................................... 90 3.8 Food shortages .............................................................................................................. 98 CHAPTER 4: Sharing the peace in us: Reflections on the proposed community- driven reconciliation process. 4.1 Context of the reconciliation process .................................................................. 103 4.2 Participants in the reconciliation process ......................................................... 105 4.3 Pillars of the reconciliation process ..................................................................... 108 4.4 Outcomes of the reconciliation process ............................................................. 112 CHAPTER 5: Conclusions and recommendations. 5.1 Major conflicts ............................................................................................................ 115 5.2 Community action ..................................................................................................... 116 5.3 Mis-perceptions .......................................................................................................... 117 5.4 A political power game ............................................................................................. 117 5.5 Divisions in society .................................................................................................... 118 5.6 Prognosis ...................................................................................................................... 120 5.7 The role of the community ...................................................................................... 120 5.8 Further research ........................................................................................................ 121 4 Foreword Since the end of the guerrilla war of the 1970s, but especially the 1980s Matebeleland gukurahundi war, Zimbabwe has been generally viewed as a peaceful and tranquil country. The government, especially, has actively nurtured and promoted this notion of peace and stability in the minds of the international community. But the generality of the people of Zimbabwe, regardless of their political affiliation or social standing, have a totally different view of the situation prevailing in the country. For while there has been no military confrontation within the country since the end of the Matebeleland gukurahundi war, the people have not always had peace in their minds, in their families, nor in their communities. Not least because beginning with the independence elections in 1980, all elections have been characterised by violence, very often accompanied by deaths, especially whenever there is a strong opposition party challenging for political power. Over the years, the government has increasingly tightened its hold on the population through intimidation such that there is now an over-pervasive fear in the hearts and minds of the people of Zimbabwe to the extent that people choose to suffer in silence rather than risk life and limb by voicing alternative views, thereby creating a façade of peace in the country. Therefore while it is true that there is peace in Zimbabwe, the big question is what kind of peace – positive or negative. The act of carrying out the study was a lesson of a lifetime for us at CCMT. When we began the research, our point of departure was that Zimbabwe was going through cycles of violence one after another because the previous conflicts had not been adequately resolved and the government had to revisit and resolve them to break the cycle. Thus according to this view the government had to act, and all that it needed was the evidence from the people. We were going to provide that evidence, by testing our thinking with the generality of Zimbabweans to see if they shared the same view and collect whatever else they had to say about the issue. The above reasoning was based on the assumption that the blame for the conflicts lay 100% on some identifiable person or group of people out there. However, it so turned out that most of the blame lay with us, me and you. It was me and you that shaped and drove those conflicts. By the same token, it is me and you that can stop those conflicts. Now that we know where the problem lies, we should begin asking ourselves what we will do about it. From now on we should undertake to share the peace inherent in us with our neighbours, to help build just peace in our communities and, through them, our country. We therefore hereby invite you, by reading this report, to begin to make a commitment to just peace in your community. The CCMT Board of Trustees 5 Acknowledgements The Centre for Conflict Management and Transformation (CCMT) would like to acknowledge with thanks all those people that made the research and production of this report possible. First, there were the 1 289 Zimbabweans from all walks of life throughout the country who agreed to be interviewed for the research. Second, there were the research assistants who braved the harsh political environment and the general insecurity situation in the country, especially in the rural areas, to collect the research data. These were Grace Chikodzi, Cosmas Dube, Macnorman Guduza, Moses Hatinahama, Takawira Kapikinyu, Martha Marawu, Blessing Marondedze, Juliet Mudzviti, Nomathemba Ncube and Nqobile Zulu. Third, there were the members of the Research Advisory Committee who helped guide the research and documentation process. These were Simon Badza, (Political science), Caroline Cochrane (Clinical Psychology), Monila Kuchena (History), and Pinimidzai Sithole (Social science research). And forth, there were Samuel Maruta and Stembile Mpofu who coordinated the research process and compiled this report. Without the commitment and dedication of all these people this work would not have seen light of day. 6 Map of Zimbabwe 7 Abbreviations ANC African National Council CCMT Centre for Conflict Management and Transformation CFU Commercial Farmers’ Union CIO Central Intelligence Organisation FROLIZI Front for the Liberation