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Chombo praises Joice Mujuru's 'military prowess'
21 Sep 2014 at 11:30hrs | Views
Ignatius Chombo, the Local Government minister, has heaped lavish praise on Vice President Joice Mujuru, saying her liberation war credentials were impeccable.
Chombo's endorsement comes hard on the heels of a scathing attack on the VP by deputy minister of Foreign Affairs Chris Mutsvangwa, who claimed that the much-hyped downing of a Rhodesian plane by Mujuru was a creation of Zanu PF propaganda machinery.
Born into a peasant family in Mount Darwin, Mujuru dropped out of school and was 18 when she joined the liberation army. She rose through the guerrilla ranks to become a wing commander.
Her notoriety increased after she reportedly single-handedly shot down a Rhodesian army helicopter.
In a congratulatory message to Mujuru for attaining of a PhD, Chombo and
his Local Government team said her military dexterity was the reason for her ascendancy to the vice president's post.
Mujuru joined Mugabe's first post-independence cabinet in 1980 at 25, and was one of the longest-serving government ministers before her elevation to the vice presidency in 2004.
"Your military prowess that you exhibited as a guerrilla fighter set you in good stead for ascendancy to the position of vice president of the Republic of Zimbabwe and your academia achievements will further widen your knowledge base for the benefit of the people you serve," Chombo said.
Mutsvangwa has cast aspersions on Mujuru's war credentials, saying they were exaggerated.
"Zvekare hapana comrade akanga akatakura pfuti mbiri mbiri ari mumwe (There was no comrade who would carry two guns)," Mutsvangwa said. "Taingove mumwe neimwe. Kupedzisa nekukanda pasi manyepo ekudonhedza helicopter yemuvengi akaumbwa naWebster Shamu kumupembedza kutiabviswe kuvamwe macomrades.
"Ngatisanyengedzwe nepovho nemagwara atavakudyidzana nawo mushure mekupera kwehondo yerusununguko (We had one gun each. It is a lie that she downed an enemy helicopter.
‘The lie was created by Webster Shamu to stroke her ego so that she could be promoted. Let's not be fooled by such lies after the liberation war)," Mutsvangwa said.
Chombo said Mujuru's attainment of a PhD will inspire uneducated war veterans to go to school.
"It is our sincere hope that such an outstanding achievement will serve to inspire all those whose education has been disrupted during the liberation struggle, like yours and for whatever reason that it is never too late to go to school," Chombo said.
"Your successful attainment of the PhD should remind us that we should never be content with whatever credentials we currently possess."
Chombo said the nation stands to benefit immensely from Mujuru's judicious guidance.
"We look forward to your continued astute guidance as we strive to bring sound local governance to people of Zimbabwe," he said.
"May your achievement be an inspiration to your family, women and the nation at large."
Chombo's endorsement comes hard on the heels of a scathing attack on the VP by deputy minister of Foreign Affairs Chris Mutsvangwa, who claimed that the much-hyped downing of a Rhodesian plane by Mujuru was a creation of Zanu PF propaganda machinery.
Born into a peasant family in Mount Darwin, Mujuru dropped out of school and was 18 when she joined the liberation army. She rose through the guerrilla ranks to become a wing commander.
Her notoriety increased after she reportedly single-handedly shot down a Rhodesian army helicopter.
In a congratulatory message to Mujuru for attaining of a PhD, Chombo and
his Local Government team said her military dexterity was the reason for her ascendancy to the vice president's post.
Mujuru joined Mugabe's first post-independence cabinet in 1980 at 25, and was one of the longest-serving government ministers before her elevation to the vice presidency in 2004.
"Your military prowess that you exhibited as a guerrilla fighter set you in good stead for ascendancy to the position of vice president of the Republic of Zimbabwe and your academia achievements will further widen your knowledge base for the benefit of the people you serve," Chombo said.
Mutsvangwa has cast aspersions on Mujuru's war credentials, saying they were exaggerated.
"Ngatisanyengedzwe nepovho nemagwara atavakudyidzana nawo mushure mekupera kwehondo yerusununguko (We had one gun each. It is a lie that she downed an enemy helicopter.
‘The lie was created by Webster Shamu to stroke her ego so that she could be promoted. Let's not be fooled by such lies after the liberation war)," Mutsvangwa said.
Chombo said Mujuru's attainment of a PhD will inspire uneducated war veterans to go to school.
"It is our sincere hope that such an outstanding achievement will serve to inspire all those whose education has been disrupted during the liberation struggle, like yours and for whatever reason that it is never too late to go to school," Chombo said.
"Your successful attainment of the PhD should remind us that we should never be content with whatever credentials we currently possess."
Chombo said the nation stands to benefit immensely from Mujuru's judicious guidance.
"We look forward to your continued astute guidance as we strive to bring sound local governance to people of Zimbabwe," he said.
"May your achievement be an inspiration to your family, women and the nation at large."
Source - dailynews
