SB Moyo wasn't in Zipra high command, State media apologises for the spin

Former Zipra commanders and critics have pointed out misleading claims in the state-controlled media that retired Lieutenant-General and Foreign minister Sibusiso Moyo, who died of Covid-19 yesterday, was part of the Zipra High Command when he was nowhere near there; too junior.

The Herald was forced to apologise for the misleading claims.

Said The Herald, "On our front page infographic in yesterday's issue, we erroneously stated that the late Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister, Lieutenant-General (Retired) Dr Sibusiso Moyo, was a member of the High Command during the liberation war."

"We have established that this is not correct and wish to apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused."

When Zipra returned home in 1980 its commanders included Dumiso Dabengwa, Lookout Masuku, Jevan Maseko, Elias Ntuli, Kenny Ndlovu, Thomas Ngwenya, Rodwell Nyika, Sam Mfakazi, Tshinga Dube, Divine Mthethwa, Andrew Ndlovu, Colonel Chirinda, Zwangani Dube and Mike Reynolds.

Prior to that in Zipra High Command, there was also Akim Ndlovu, Alfred Nikita Mangena, Robson Manyika and Ambrose Mutinhiri, among others.

Even Zanla commander Solomon Mujuru (Rex Nhongo) came from Zipra.

"When we returned from the war in 1980, SB was young (19), couldn't be in Zipra High Command. Even Elson Moyo (the current Airforce commander) wasn't there. Elson's brother (SB's cousin); Zvafa was head of signals, but he died so Tshinga bounced back," an ex-Zipra commander said.

"The truth is that at the Zipra High Command we didn't even know SB, he was too junior at instructor level. We knew his cousin brother Zvafa, who was the brother to Elson Moyo, current Airforce commander. Guys like PV Sibanda, who are senior, were there at deputy command level."