News / Regional
'Joshua Nkomo averted civil war in Zimbabwe
06 Apr 2016 at 16:17hrs | Views
ZAPU president Dr Dumiso Dabengwa says the late national hero and former Vice-President Joshua Nkomo's unwavering commitment to unity in the face of treachery is the main reason why Zimbabwe did not go through civil war at the attainment of independence in 1980.
Speaking during an address to commemorate the death of former Zipra commander Lookout Masuku at an event organised by Ibhetshu lika Zulu Tuesday, Dr Dabengwa said politicians with different egos would have used the massive forces at his disposal to refuse being relegated to seats in Matebeleland and Midlands provinces.
"He would have refused being relegated there when Zanu-PF could challenge results elsewhere in the country. We got to know even before results of the 1980 elections were announced that ZAPU was not going to be allowed to get more than 20 seats.
"Dr Nkomo believed in British assurances whereas the Western countries were more worried by our links with South Africa's Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) and what they saw as Soviet advantage in geo-politics," said Dr Dabengwa.
He added: "In my view, this hangover from geopolitics has continued to affect ZAPU because independence of thought is wrongly seen as opposition to other people's interests."
Dr Dabengwa said in spite of being the party whose supporters have received the most documented atrocities since independence, there is no support for their struggle to achieve true liberation as part of unfinished business of the struggle.
"There is still no closure on the Gukurahundi massacres involving more than 20,000 killed and many injured and displaced. The resulting development deficit from engineered insecurity has yet to be dealt with.
Turning to the contributions made by the late Masuku who is buried in Bulawayo at Lady Stanley, Dr Dabengwa said his status as a hero is beyond question.
"Ironically, he took the salute here when the colonial flag was lowered in 1980 while Solomon Mujuru did that in Harare.
"He could not be given a place in Heroes Acre in Harare, while all sorts of people we have to look up in references are buried there. I salute the City of Bulawayo for giving us space to bury those whose massive contributions have been denied," said Dr Dabengwa.
He said in a way this development allows those victimised "not to be buried like captives in hostile graves whose yardstick is political loyalty to Zanu-PF rather than what they have done for this country."
"May the memory of Lookout Masuku be an inspiration to young people and future generations, to appreciate that contributions to liberty live longer than us," said Dr Dabengwa.
Lieutenant-General Lookout Khalisabantu Vumindaba Masuku, affectionately known as Mafela died on 5 April 1986 at Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare after succumbing to cryptococcal meningitis.
Speaking during an address to commemorate the death of former Zipra commander Lookout Masuku at an event organised by Ibhetshu lika Zulu Tuesday, Dr Dabengwa said politicians with different egos would have used the massive forces at his disposal to refuse being relegated to seats in Matebeleland and Midlands provinces.
"He would have refused being relegated there when Zanu-PF could challenge results elsewhere in the country. We got to know even before results of the 1980 elections were announced that ZAPU was not going to be allowed to get more than 20 seats.
"Dr Nkomo believed in British assurances whereas the Western countries were more worried by our links with South Africa's Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) and what they saw as Soviet advantage in geo-politics," said Dr Dabengwa.
He added: "In my view, this hangover from geopolitics has continued to affect ZAPU because independence of thought is wrongly seen as opposition to other people's interests."
Dr Dabengwa said in spite of being the party whose supporters have received the most documented atrocities since independence, there is no support for their struggle to achieve true liberation as part of unfinished business of the struggle.
"There is still no closure on the Gukurahundi massacres involving more than 20,000 killed and many injured and displaced. The resulting development deficit from engineered insecurity has yet to be dealt with.
Turning to the contributions made by the late Masuku who is buried in Bulawayo at Lady Stanley, Dr Dabengwa said his status as a hero is beyond question.
"Ironically, he took the salute here when the colonial flag was lowered in 1980 while Solomon Mujuru did that in Harare.
"He could not be given a place in Heroes Acre in Harare, while all sorts of people we have to look up in references are buried there. I salute the City of Bulawayo for giving us space to bury those whose massive contributions have been denied," said Dr Dabengwa.
He said in a way this development allows those victimised "not to be buried like captives in hostile graves whose yardstick is political loyalty to Zanu-PF rather than what they have done for this country."
"May the memory of Lookout Masuku be an inspiration to young people and future generations, to appreciate that contributions to liberty live longer than us," said Dr Dabengwa.
Lieutenant-General Lookout Khalisabantu Vumindaba Masuku, affectionately known as Mafela died on 5 April 1986 at Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare after succumbing to cryptococcal meningitis.
Source - Radio Dialogue
