'Zimbabwe war was about one man, one vote,' says Chiwenga

Constantino Chiwenga has called on young Zimbabweans to preserve the foundational values of the liberation struggle, warning that the country risks losing first-hand accounts of the war as veterans continue to pass on.

Chiwenga made the remarks at the funeral wake of Miriam Kangai, widow of the late former Cabinet minister and national hero Kumbirai Kangai.

Miriam Kangai died from cancer-related complications in South Africa, where she had travelled to seek medical treatment. She was buried at Glen Forest Memorial Park in Harare.

Addressing mourners, Chiwenga said the liberation struggle was fundamentally about self-determination and the equitable distribution of land.

"It is imperative that our youth recognise the sacrifices made by our heroes to ensure that every voice counts and that land is returned to its rightful owners," he said.

"The liberation struggle was primarily fought for two fundamental reasons: the principle of ‘one man, one vote' and the return of our land. While other issues were raised, they served merely as justifications rather than the core objectives of our fight."

His remarks come amid growing debate over proposed constitutional changes contained in Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3, which seeks to grant Parliament powers to elect the president instead of maintaining the direct "one man, one vote" system.

Critics argue the proposal contradicts one of the key principles that underpinned the liberation war.

Since last year, Chiwenga has repeatedly condemned corruption in government, describing it as a betrayal of the liberation struggle's ideals, which he says are anchored in fairness and equitable resource distribution.

He previously coined the term "Zvigananda" to describe corrupt individuals who enrich themselves while ordinary citizens suffer.

Reflecting on the liberation era, Chiwenga invoked the names of senior nationalist figures, including Herbert Chitepo and Kumbirai Kangai, whom he described as members of the war council.

"I remember the moment when Cde Charles Dauramanzi received me and my colleagues as we joined the struggle; these experiences are now memories that should never fade," he said.

Chiwenga stressed that Zimbabwe's independence was won through sacrifice and must be safeguarded.

"This country was won through sacrifice. It is sacred. People died, blood was shed and we must never allow ourselves to forget that the freedoms we enjoy today came at a cost," he said.

"What we must focus on now is safeguarding the legacy of those who fought for our liberty. We are determined to realise our aspirations as a country, and I believe that, in time, our nation will be a source of admiration for others."