CIOs ban Chamisa from Mtukudzi's funeral service

Movement for Democratic change President Nelson Chamisa was banned from attending the funeral service of the late veteran musician Oliver Mtukudzi held at the National sports stadium on Saturday.

The funeral service followed a concert that was graced by artistes from all over the country to celebrate the life of Tuku.

"Today President Nelson Chamisa was barred by CIOs from entering the National Sports Stadium to mourn Tuku." MDC Deputy Treasurer General Charlton Hwende said.

MDC Secretary General said the decision by State Agents was cowardly and totally unacceptable.

"The decision by state agents to bar Nelson Chamisa from entering the National Sports Stadium is cowardly and totally unacceptable." Said Mwonzora. "Although Hon Zwizwai and myself tried to remonstrate with the government ministers present it was to no avail."

Political Analyst Fortune Mlalazi said the decision taken by the state to bar Chamisa was tantamount to shooting itself in the foot.

"The decision by state agents surely was not a wise one." Mlalazi opined. "If the President surely wants unity, peace and development to prevail in this country he would have sent the correct tone in all the layers of his government that they must practice tolerance.

"This is the first time that a Party Leader has been barred from a funeral, even Mugabe never did that. Remember when Tsvangirai died ZANU PF was represented in Buhera.

"This is a strange practice that if not stopped will breed a new dictatorship in the country."

Chamisa on Thursday attended the funeral wake on Mtukudzi in his Norton home where he gave a speech and lined up all the veteran musicians and honored them as heroes.

Later in the evening President Mnangagwa attended the wake and pronounced Tuku as a national hero.

Tuku will be buried on Sunday at his rural home in Bindura.