On handing the legacy of military massacres in the 1980s:
“Last week I signed the national reconciliation bill into law, which is a platform where such issues can be dealt with and recommendations to government as to what can be done. At the end of the day we should look into the future, focus into the future but also have a platform where past grievances can be looked at and addressed but the thrust should not be for us, in this new dispensation, to go and engage in the past. We must persuade our communities to work together, to unite and look forward and a create a future for our generations to come. Government is a collective unity. There is no decision by cabinet which can be attributed to one individual. If there should be responsibility, there should be responsibility of the government of the day. At that time we had unfortunate incidents of dissidents, so many people died at the hands of these dissidents. It was necessary to bring law and order in the country. It’s the duty of any government where there is disregard of the law, that law and order must be instituted. I believe that during the process of that, in some instances, there could have been excesses by the implementing authorities of the time.”
On whether Zimbabwe plans to rejoin the Commonwealth:
“It’s not a priority for Zimbabwe to join the Commonwealth. The issue that prompted Zimbabwe to leave the Commonwealth was the land issue. That is behind us so I don’t see any impediment for Zimbabwe to rejoin the Commonwealth except that it is not a priority, it is not on our agenda. I have priority issues to deal with and joining the Commonwealth doesn’t immediately bring bread on the table but it brings fraternity, good wishes.”
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