Heroes acre is strictly Zanu-PF

President Robert Mugabe finally admitted that the National Heroes Acre is a preserve for Zanu-PF cadres adding that only those whose history in the liberation struggle was unquestioned deserved to be buried at the shrine.

Mugabe said those political parties that were clamouring for their own to also be laid to rest at the national shrine should go and look for their own shrines.

Speaking at the burial of Kumbirai Kangai at the National Heroes Acre on Saturday, Mugabe said in Shona and English: "Inga takati zvuru zvakawanda. Ngavatsvagewo zvavo zvuru. Isu takatsvaga chedu, tikabhadhara paida kubhadharwa kuti tivige magamba edu. "We told them that there are many places they can choose to bury their own heroes. This is ours and we chose it and paid for it. Kwete kuti nezvitoto zvenyu moda kuzviisa pano. Kwete. Inzvimbo yevatsvene."

Since the National Heroes Acre was built, it had never been openly announced that this was a Zanu-PF party property, paid for by the party.

Mugabe says other political parties - could have been in reference to MDCs - should establish their own shrines and bury their own heroes there.

But for Mugabe to call those who did not conform to their criteria for national hero status zvitoto is just unwise especially coming from a head of State who should embrace all citizens. Mugabe should also do the honourable thing and rename the national shrine to Zanu-PF Heoroes Acre, just like his party named its quarters Zanu-PF Headquarters.

And is Mugabe sincere in telling us that it is actually Zanu-PF who paid for that land and the construction of the place? Is it not the Government of Zimbabwe that paid that money?

The history of many of those that lie at the shrine is shrouded in controversy and for Mugabe to say those that lie there are righteous and saintly is to insult our intelligence.

The MDCs have been vindicated as they always argued that the national shrine was a Zanu-PF project and not meant for all deserving national heroes whose contribution to the nation is paramount.

The state controlled media should not go to town accusing the MDCs of not attending events at the National Heroes Acre because as Mugabe says, this is a Zanu-PF shrine where they bury their own.

Why should Morgan Tsvangirai or Welshman Ncube be seen at the national shrine when Mugabe openly tells them to establish their own facilities?

Why should anyone for that matter be angered when the Tsvangirai and his MDC party boycott Zanu-PF gatherings?

Zanu-PF politburo sits alone to determine who deserves to be declared a national hero; hence it's a party thing.

Burial at the shrine is reserved for those who have been declared a hero by the politburo which has raised questions on impartiality of the whole process as critics maintain that it should be the national government, rather than a political party, that must accord such status.

It is time that the MDCs and those outside Zanu-PF realised that the national shrine was built for Zanu-PF members only so that their families would enjoy the benefits that accrue from being accorded that status.

Right-minded people who have questioned the omission of personalities like Jairos Jiri should now reconsider their arguments because Mugabe has openly declared that shrine his party's.

Let them bury themselves there at the national shrine.

But Mugabe must be told not to abuse state funds if indeed that shrine belongs to his party.

Zanu-PF has to fund operations at the shrine - buy coffins etcetera.

If Zanu-PF is indeed funding events at the shrine it therefore should not be classified as a national monument of Zimbabwe.

We thought the establishment of the shrine was undertaken by the Government to commemorate those who fell in the struggle for national liberation and the contemporary and future sons and daughters of Zimbabwe whose dedication and commitment to the nation justify their burial at this sacred spot.

National Heroes Acre or simply Heroes Acre is a burial ground and national monument in Harare, Zimbabwe.

The 57-acre (230,000 m2) site is situated on a ridge seven kilometres from Harare along the main Harare-Bulawayo Road between Harare and Norton which is just out of Harare.

The government of Zimbabwe started work on the Heroes Acre in September 12, 1981, one year after Independence in Zimbabwe.

The design and artwork used at the site was done by seven artists from North Korea and 10 Zimbabwean Artists.

Over 250 local workers were involved in the project at the height of construction.

The black granite stone used for the main construction was quarried from Mutoko; a rural area situated about 140 km Northeast of Harare.

The Heroes Acre is protected under the Natural Monuments Act.