The move, spear-headed by the commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, General Chiwenga, is similar to the land issue.
Samora Machel addressed the land issue from the outset in the advent of independence in 1975, not after 20 years as happened in Zimbabwe. Ever since then, Zanu (PF) has taken the moral high ground on the land issue as if they alone invented it. Sadly, doing it against the backdrop of the most serious political challenge since independence, it resulted in the disastrous chaos that we know all too well!
All the Zanu (PF) bigwigs jumping on the bandwagon in praise of Tongogara is incompatible with independent press reports of Tongogara’s widow and her children living in dire straits. How can they then say they admire Tongogara and yet neglect the family he left behind? Questions must be asked as to why the government and/or the party did not step in to help the family.
As for Tongogara himself, he must be turning in his grave, not only at the shameless hypocrisy but also at being used – again! – Benjamin Takavarasha, London
Post published in: Letters to the Editor
Whenever there’s a mention of Zimbabwe War Heroes, the name of Josiah Magama Tongogara comes to mind first. Isn’t it ironic that he was murdered on the day he was returning to Zimbabwe following the Lancaster House talks. It is argued that there were and still are some who survived the fatal incident. These people were never interrogated or offered any explanation as to what really happened. It’s about time the record is set straight.