HARARE - Monday this week marked the 27th anniversary of the incident when former PF ZAPU president Joshua Nkomo fled Zimbabwe allegedly disguised as a woman to escape persecution by President Robert Mugabe and Zanu (PF). Nkomo, who was later to become Zimbabwes vice president following a marriage of convenience with Mugabe, fled to self-imposed exile in London on 7 March 1983, claiming that his life was in danger. Some reports said he crossed into Botswana dressed like a woman to escape from a man with whom he had helped liberate the former Rhodesia from colonial bondage.
Although Nkomo later denied the allegations that he had escaped dressed as a woman, he blasted Mugabes sledgehammer approach to dealing with opposing views. Nothing in my life had prepared me for persecution at the hands of a government led by black Africans,” said the man who was popularly known as Mudala Wethu or Father Zimbabwe. The late vice president was later forced to disband his party to join forces with Mugabes Zanu (PF) under a marriage of convenience in 1987 commonly known as the Unity Accord.
Analysts said nothing much had changed in Zimbabwe since then, with the same circumstances that forced Nkomo into exile still existing and even worse. I believe Nkomo must be turning in his grave because Mugabes sledgehammer tactics have worsened since his death 11 years ago, political analyst Donald Porusingazi told The Zimbabwean.
He applauded the brave efforts of some politicians from Matabeleland, such as Dumiso Dabengwa, who have stood up to Mugabes tyranny and blasted spineless former PF ZAPU stalwarts that have stuck with the Zimbabwean strongman even in the face of adversity. Zimbabwean police last week arrested six members of a group pushing for the secession of the Matabeleland province.
Mthwakazi Liberation Front (MLF) said its arrested members were facing treason charges in connection with an alleged attempt to break Matabeleland region away from the rest of the country. Frustrated by what the organisation described as the continued marginalisation, abuse and complete plunder of Matabelelands resources, MLF accuses Mugabe of neglecting the region which has seen little development since Zimbabwe attained independence in 1980.
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