War veterans led by self styled former freedom fighter, Douglas Chitekuteku and one Gama, took turns to denounce MDC and urged villagers not to vote for political parties whose agenda was ‘to sell the country to former white colonial powers’.
“Zimbabwe freedom came as a result of a bitter and bloody long armed struggle. People should not betray fallen heroes who sacrificed lives and limbs for the people’s self rule. Zanu (PF) is the only party which would preserve and jealously guard values of the liberation struggle. The electorate should vote wisely in the coming election and avoid casting votes in favour of puppets of the west and sell-outs,” said the war veteran speakers.
The commemorations were characterized by partisan Zanu (PF) slogans, which labelled MDC as a counter-revolutionary project funded by the West. The disinterested gathered crowd mainly bussed from far away villages and farms, dwindled as the ‘Zanu (PF)’ commemorations progressed.
There was drama at the commemorations as an estimated 60 villagers who attended the national event, later accused the guest speaker, Marondera District Administrator, James Chiwaru, of grabbing some 20 kilograms of game meat for his personal family use.
The majority of villagers from political wards 19 and 20 in which the Dhirihori Heroes Acre is situated shunned the commemorations. The wards are under MDC-T.
“We have long since avoided attending the event as Zanu (PF) use the occasion to denounce its political rivals, at the expense of uniting people as a nation for the otherwise noble commemorations. Everybody recognises and appreciates the crucial role played by our heroes towards liberating the country from our former colonizers. After all, the country was liberated by people from across races and tribes and there is no way Zanu (PF) could claim exclusive credit for freedom attained thereafter,” said an elderly villager and former war collaborator who only identified himself as Sheppard.
According to Mupazvirihwo villagers, one war veteran was buried at the Dhirihori Heroes’ Shrine, three war collaborators and the late Chief Enock Zenda’s uncle who did not participate in the armed struggle in any way. “The remains of the late chief’s uncle were mistaken for those of a war veteran before exhumation and were later buried at the Heroes Acre,” said a villager.
At Murewa Centre, the Heroes’ commemorations held at Magamba were poorly attended, as people went on with their usual personal business. The predominately small Zanu (PF) gathering at the commemorations donned party regalia and chanted partisan slogans.
In Marondera, Zanu (PF) Provincial Governor and Resident Minister, Aenius Chigwedere, read the Heroes Speech on behalf of President Robert Mugabe. He stuck to the prepared speech without making unnecessary additions.
The Marondera commemorations were held at the Provincial Heroes’ Acre at the outskirts of Paradise Low Density Suburb.
Post published in: News