Braiden Zimba, the late former Zanu (PF) District Coordinating Chairman, was only six years old when Zimbabwe attained independence in 1980, and 36 at the time of his death. Even though there is no age limit for hero status, Zanu (PF) is still divided on whether or not Zimba should have been declared a district hero.
Zimba died when driving a car belonging to Reuben Marumahoko, one of the Zanu (PF) stalwarts in Mashonaland West. Marumahoko is also the Deputy Minister of Regional Integration and Hurungwe Senator, and was reportedly active in declaring Zimba a provincial hero. Some war veterans and party elders have questioned the decision.
According to sources who attended a heroes commemorations preparation meeting held in Magunje recently, Zimba’s burial in October 2010 ‘’must be revisited’’, because it is causing friction in the party.
Zimba is among the few district heroes reburied at the district shrine. He was part of a group that terrorised Zanu (PF) political opponents from 2000 in the early days of the MDC and was reportedly involved in the murder of Luckson Kanyurira, an MDC supporter, in the resort town of Kariba in 2001.
Post published in: News