True hero is not declared by those who choose to

A civic organisation leader has indicated that a true hero is not declared by those who choose to but is a hero by his or her deeds.

Nyanda chairman Geniva Sibanda said this as the nation celebrated the National Heroes and Heroines day on August 10.

"Heroes are not friends you had in Gonakudzingwa or appointed friends who were commanders in the rear in Zambia or Mozambique, your friends who suffered diarrhoea at the sound of Rhodesia mirages crossing borders, some of the heroes are Lookout Masuku, Josiah Tongogara, Godfrey Commando Tanyanyiwa who was shot and killed by a coward rear Zipra Commander who now lives in Lobengula Bulwayo," said Sibanda.

"We are talking of black Moses a Zanla force we talk of those brave Zipra fighters who stepped foot at Robert MUgabe's rural home during the liberation struggle and never harmed anyone. Those Zipra forces fought whites bitterly in Zowa, Chirau, Zwimba, Msengezi and Kutama areas. Those are heroes. We know them they are amongst us. But what do we hear self praises and praises of those close friends."

He said it was absurd for Zanu PF to claim responsibility and authority of declaring who us a hero as some of the heroes the party has declared were never at war and are not suitable to be named as heroes.