News / National
Mphoko refused to be buried alongside 'corrupt people, thieves, and murderers'?
14 Dec 2024 at 16:34hrs | Views
A high-profile memorial service for the late former Vice President Phelekezela Report Mphoko is being held this morning at Charles Gumbo Barracks (formerly Cranborne Barracks) in Harare. Mphoko, who passed away in India on December 6 at the age of 84, was honored as his body arrived in Harare yesterday.
Following the memorial service, Mphoko's body will be airlifted to Bulawayo, where he is set to be buried at his residence, Plot 19 Bulawayo Drive in Douglasdale, in accordance with his family's wishes.
Despite being declared a national hero by President Emmerson Mnangagwa and ZANU-PF, Mphoko's family has chosen to honor his expressed desire to be buried at his home. This decision reflects a growing trend among liberation struggle veterans who have opted out of burial at the National Heroes Acre in Harare, a site often associated with political controversy and partisan decisions.
Mphoko joins a list of prominent liberation figures who declined burial at the shrine.
Tshinga Dube, a former Zipra commander, had wished to be buried at Lady Stanley Cemetery in Bulawayo. However, the government overruled his request and buried him at Heroes Acre.
Dumiso Dabengwa, a former Zipra intelligence chief, was buried at his rural home in eManxeleni, Ntabazinduna, as per his wishes, avoiding any government presence at his funeral.
Cephas Msipa, a former ZAPU stalwart, and Welshman Mabhena, a former ZAPU heavyweight, also opted out of Heroes Acre, with Mabhena famously refusing burial alongside "corrupt people, thieves, and murderers."
The most notable case was that of Robert Mugabe, the former president and architect of the Heroes Acre concept, who rejected burial at the shrine after being ousted in a 2017 coup. Mugabe is interred at his rural home in Zvimba, Mashonaland West.
The National Heroes Acre, originally envisioned as a site to honor liberation war veterans, has faced criticism for its perceived partisan selection process and controversies over eligibility. Allegations of political vendettas and misuse of the designation by Mugabe during his rule have discredited the institution, leaving its legacy in question.
As the heroes' concept becomes increasingly contested, Mphoko's burial decision highlights the ongoing debate over how the nation honors its liberation struggle icons.
Following the memorial service, Mphoko's body will be airlifted to Bulawayo, where he is set to be buried at his residence, Plot 19 Bulawayo Drive in Douglasdale, in accordance with his family's wishes.
Despite being declared a national hero by President Emmerson Mnangagwa and ZANU-PF, Mphoko's family has chosen to honor his expressed desire to be buried at his home. This decision reflects a growing trend among liberation struggle veterans who have opted out of burial at the National Heroes Acre in Harare, a site often associated with political controversy and partisan decisions.
Mphoko joins a list of prominent liberation figures who declined burial at the shrine.
Tshinga Dube, a former Zipra commander, had wished to be buried at Lady Stanley Cemetery in Bulawayo. However, the government overruled his request and buried him at Heroes Acre.
Dumiso Dabengwa, a former Zipra intelligence chief, was buried at his rural home in eManxeleni, Ntabazinduna, as per his wishes, avoiding any government presence at his funeral.
Cephas Msipa, a former ZAPU stalwart, and Welshman Mabhena, a former ZAPU heavyweight, also opted out of Heroes Acre, with Mabhena famously refusing burial alongside "corrupt people, thieves, and murderers."
The most notable case was that of Robert Mugabe, the former president and architect of the Heroes Acre concept, who rejected burial at the shrine after being ousted in a 2017 coup. Mugabe is interred at his rural home in Zvimba, Mashonaland West.
The National Heroes Acre, originally envisioned as a site to honor liberation war veterans, has faced criticism for its perceived partisan selection process and controversies over eligibility. Allegations of political vendettas and misuse of the designation by Mugabe during his rule have discredited the institution, leaving its legacy in question.
As the heroes' concept becomes increasingly contested, Mphoko's burial decision highlights the ongoing debate over how the nation honors its liberation struggle icons.
Source - online
