Chiwenga shocked thousands of mourners from across the political divide, who rose above party politics and converged at Rudhaka Stadium to give a befitting send-off to the hero of the liberation struggle.
“We want true liberation. We fought against the British, so what is this Boer (Kay) doing in this constituency if the armed liberation struggle was a success? This time around everybody should put on a lion or crocodile skin and fight tooth and nail to regain the four constituencies won by MDC in Mashonaland East in March 2008. You did not work hard enough during previous political campaigns,” said Chiwenga.
A disappointed mourner, Stanely Katsande from Mudzi said Chiwenga’s speech could have sent a wrong signal to the restless Zanu (PF) supporters among the mourners.
“Chiwenga displayed unbelievably high levels of racism and political intolerance at a wrong forum. He would have done his soiled reputation a favour by keeping his mouth shut. Imagine what the blood thirsty Zanu (PF) youth would have done to Kay if he had attended the event,” said Katsande.
In an apparent reprimand, Zanu (PF) Mashonaland East Provincial Chairperson, Ray Kaukonde said: “Speakers are reminded to say only what was expected at the occasion lest their speeches misfire. Everybody in Zanu (PF) should also stop gossiping and back-biting each other and direct all the energy towards party building if ever the four constituencies were to be wrestled from MDC. You Chiwenga (playing the blame game), Perence Shiri and others here’ present hail from the province. Where were you when the constituencies fell to MDC?”
The event which was expected to be apolitical was turned into a Zanu (PF) rally as speaker after speaker chanted the Zanu (PF) clenched fist slogan. Mourners were bussed from across Mashonaland and Manicaland Provinces to pay their last respects to Mujuru. The remains of his torched body arrived at the stadium by helicopter.
The majority of the mourners were MDC who voluntarily graced the occasion as they genuinely appreciated the role played by Mujuru in the struggle.
Post published in: News