News / National
CIO frustrating ex-Zipras in Mashonaland West
21 Apr 2014 at 07:02hrs | Views
The Central Intelligence Organisation is reportedly frustrating efforts by ex-Zpra cadres to conduct programmes in Mashonaland west programmes where the PF Zapu military wing operated in the liberation struggle.
The claims come following recent revelations by Zanu PF Makonde legislator Kindness Paradza at the national assembly that former Zpra veterans left a number of fatherless children in the province. "Zpra operated in Mashonaland West and it could be true that some children were left there but the problem is that the Zpra veterans have been frustrated b7u the local CIO think that we are there to revive Zapu," said Zpra veteran.
"Efforts to conduct programmes like identifying comrades who died in the area have become so difficult because we are treated with so much suspicion. Nothing can be done unless we are given permission to conduct programmes there."
The veteran however fired at Paradza saying he should appreciate that there were fatherless children in Matabeleland and Midlands whose parents were killed during Gukurahundi.
Debating on the motion on the welfare of war veterans at the national assembly, Paradza said Zipra's second largest concentration camp was located in Makonde, Mashonaland West where the former guerrilla fighters left children without birth certificates.
"What this means Madam Speaker, is that there is this aspect of collateral damage which happened during the war and we seem to forget that there were children who were born and who, up to now are not aware who their fathers are. I can give you an example of Mashonaland West or precisely Makonde," Paradza said.
"This is where ZIPRA forces were operating from during the war. At Romeo Assembly Point which is in the middle of Makonde at Magurekure Primary School, this was where the second largest concentration of ZIPRA forces was during ceasefire.
"The first one was at Gwayi and this was second from Gwayi Assembly Point. We have a number of such women who are in Makonde today, who had these children who, up to today do not know their fathers.
"These ZIPRA forces, after integration, went back to their home areas, some to Matabeleland North, some to Matabeleland South and others to the Midlands but their kids remained in Makonde. This is the problem that we have.
"So, as we debate this motion, we must make sure that we also take care of these children. I thought I should stand up and read this letter to you Madam Speaker, and share what we have in Makonde."
The claims come following recent revelations by Zanu PF Makonde legislator Kindness Paradza at the national assembly that former Zpra veterans left a number of fatherless children in the province. "Zpra operated in Mashonaland West and it could be true that some children were left there but the problem is that the Zpra veterans have been frustrated b7u the local CIO think that we are there to revive Zapu," said Zpra veteran.
"Efforts to conduct programmes like identifying comrades who died in the area have become so difficult because we are treated with so much suspicion. Nothing can be done unless we are given permission to conduct programmes there."
The veteran however fired at Paradza saying he should appreciate that there were fatherless children in Matabeleland and Midlands whose parents were killed during Gukurahundi.
Debating on the motion on the welfare of war veterans at the national assembly, Paradza said Zipra's second largest concentration camp was located in Makonde, Mashonaland West where the former guerrilla fighters left children without birth certificates.
"What this means Madam Speaker, is that there is this aspect of collateral damage which happened during the war and we seem to forget that there were children who were born and who, up to now are not aware who their fathers are. I can give you an example of Mashonaland West or precisely Makonde," Paradza said.
"This is where ZIPRA forces were operating from during the war. At Romeo Assembly Point which is in the middle of Makonde at Magurekure Primary School, this was where the second largest concentration of ZIPRA forces was during ceasefire.
"The first one was at Gwayi and this was second from Gwayi Assembly Point. We have a number of such women who are in Makonde today, who had these children who, up to today do not know their fathers.
"These ZIPRA forces, after integration, went back to their home areas, some to Matabeleland North, some to Matabeleland South and others to the Midlands but their kids remained in Makonde. This is the problem that we have.
"So, as we debate this motion, we must make sure that we also take care of these children. I thought I should stand up and read this letter to you Madam Speaker, and share what we have in Makonde."
Source - Byo24News
