National heroes' declaration debated in Zimbabwe parliament

There was heated debate in the House of Assembly yesterday over conferment of national hero status. MDC members alleged lack of consistency in the manner heroes are declared while their Zanu-PF counterparts said those who deserved to be declared national heroes had been duly accorded the status.

The legislators were debating Luveve representative Mr Reggie Moyo's (MDC-T) motion calling on the House to appreciate the sterling service the late national hero Cde Welshman Mabhena gave to Zimbabwe.

Cde Mabhena died last year in October and was declared a national hero. He was, however, laid to rest at Lady Stanley Cemetery in Bulawayo in line with his family's request.

Mr Moyo argued that people from Matabeleland were being sidelined when it came to conferment of national hero status.

"Its saddening that those of us from the West will continue with sentiments of Mabhena that we are being sidelined.

"How do we describe consistency and persistence, if others are recommended. Thenjiwe Lesabe what wrong had she done that made her not be where others are? We want equality on such status," Mr Moyo argued.

However, Zanu-PF legislator for Uzumba, Cde Simbaneuta Mudarikwa, said Cde Mabhena had been declared a national hero though he was not buried at the National Heroes Acre.

"Cde Mabhena was declared a national hero because of his contribution to the country. When we talk of heroes, you have to know that heroes are born, they are not manufactured. He contributed to this country in a heroic manner. The revolution is not for cowards, it's for the brave. Cde Mabhena was a man of a rare tenacity," Cde Mudarikwa said.

He said it was high time people stopped tribalising issues.

"It's unfortunate we have politicians who don't have the ability to mobilise people throughout the country and they go for a small region. Tribalism is a creation of the imperialists. When I see the Deputy Chief Whip (Ms Dorcas Sibanda - MDC-T), I don't see a Ndebele but a beautiful girl," Cde Mudarikwa said drawing laughter from MPs.

Added Cde Mudarikwa: "Cde Mabhena was one of the people who negotiated the Unity Accord between PF-Zapu and Zanu-PF. During the negotiations, Cde Mabhena called for unity.

"They never needed to go to Kariba, Sandton or to set up Jomic.

"As Zimbabweans, we have to unite and work together. The economy develops where there is peace, love and no discord."

Mhondoro-Ngezi MP, Cde Bright Matonga (Zanu-PF) called on the MDC MPs to stop misleading the nation by making it appear as if Cde Mabhena had not been declared a national hero.

MDC representative for Gwanda North, Mr Thandeko Mnkandhla, said heroes should be national in character. He also called on Zimbabweans to emulate heroes such as Cde Mabhena who devoted their lives to liberating the country.