THE question of who is a hero in Zimbabwe has often generated heated debate mainly because Zanu PF has since independence anointed itself the sole arbiter in the matter.
Several gallant sons and daughters of the soil have been denied the status simply because they quarrelled with Zanu PF at some point in their lives. There are many names that come to mind and these include Thenjiwe Lesabe, Stanely Ndonga and Ndabaningi Sithole, just to mention a few who were denied the chance to be buried at the National Heroes’ Acre.
Others with dubious credentials such as Border Gezi and Elliot Manyika were interred at the shrine that is supposed to celebrate Zimbabweans who made sacrifices to liberate this country.
Ideally, it should be people who on top of their liberation credentials led exemplary lives that should inspire Zimbabweans.
However, we have seen people accused of murdering political opponents or those linked to corruption being buried among illustrious people such as the late Vice-President Joshua Nkomo at the shrine.
President Robert Mugabe has on a number of occasions been forced to defend this queer state of affairs.
Mugabe has often told those not happy with the selection of heroes to find their own hill — in reference the location of the National Heroes’ Acre — so they could bury their own people.
The anomaly is not confined to the national shrine as hundreds of people with criminal records have been buried at provincial and district heroes’ acres. The only qualification they need is to be card-carrying Zanu PF members and former freedom fighters.
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One of them is notorious Midlands war veterans’ leader Wilson Kufa Chitoro — popularly known as “Biggie” Chitoro — who died last Thursday and was buried at the Heroes’ Acre in Gweru yesterday.
Zanu PF provincial chairperson Jason Machaya said Chitoro was automatically declared a liberation war hero since he was an ex-freedom fighter.
This means Zanu PF ignored the untold terror in Mberengwa during the land invasions in 2000 where it was proved Chitoro played a leading role.
Chitoro was accused of kidnapping three MDC supporters whom he severely tortured on June 4 2000 at Texas Ranch, resulting in the death of Fainos Kufazvinei.
Zanu PF chose to ignore all that and gave the war veteran a hero status, which means it celebrates his legacy. This is another big step in devaluing the hero status.
