'National heroes status not for members of the opposition,' insists Mugabe

President Robert Mugabe made it clear that only those who participated in the liberation struggle and continue to show their allegiance to him and his Zanu-PF party will be conferred hero status when they die; their history apparently does not matter.

Speaking during the Heroes Day celebrations Monday, Mugabe said the honour is only for those "who were and are consistently loyal to the liberation cause" and have their "patriotism selfless" and "determination, never questionable or in any doubt, at any point in time".

"Often, I have found some misguided elements in our society denigrating our heroes and the national shrines where we have laid our heroes to rest.

"The misguided elements whom we share Zimbabwe with, have absurd, weird and wayward opinions on who should be declared a hero. Here and now, such people better be advised to stop entertaining themselves with mirages, which only exist in the minds of the misguided," said Mugabe.



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