Zimeye
24 March 2016
The President of The Progressive Democrats of Zimbabwe(PDZ), Barbara Nyagomo, has called on embattled Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa to resign following revelations that he made controversial remarks during the Gukurahundi atrocities in Matabeleland and Midlands provinces.
In a statement released earlier today Nyagomo said instead of attempting to pour cold water on the allegations raised by David Coltart, Mnangagwa should immediately vacate office since the utterances he made were reckless and unfortunate. Mnangagwa has distanced himself from the said utterances claiming Coltart’s assertions are baseless and unfounded. Mnangagwa also claimed he never made such remarks despite clear evidence that he addressed a rally in Victoria Falls.
He also threatened to take legal action against Coltart. Nyagomo said despite the Vice President’s denial, well documented evidence in the Chronicle of March 25 1985, revealed Mnangagwa was quoted openly encouraging the massacre of civilians for purportedly harbouring bandits.
“The Progressive Democrats of Zimbabwe notes with concern that the honourable Vice President Mnangagwa has issued a statement refuting assertions by Mr Coltart , who accused him of uttering statements that incited and justified the actions of the state and the Fifth Brigade at a time he was the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s office.
It is unfortunate that the VP chose to issue a public statement denying with impunity and disdain allegations of utterances attributed to him openly instigating and supporting the Fifth Brigade’s actions.We call on the VP to immediately resign from government. Such a man does not have the dignity and morals to lead the people of Zimbabwe,†said Nyagomo in the statement. Pressure is mounting on Mnangagwa to apologise to the nation for the reckless utterances he made at the height of the Gukurahundi atrocities in early eighties. Civic organisations say about 20 000 civilians were massacred during the Gukurahundi era.