Zimbabwe News Update Freedom Didn't Come Cheap

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Bindura Bureau
Zimbabwe Herald

Zimbabweans should remember that the freedom they currently enjoy did
not come on a silver platter, Vice President Joice Mujuru has said.

Addressing mourners yesterday at Bamboo Creek Farm in Shamva following
the death of Senator Misheck Takaedza Chando in a car accident last
Friday, VP Mujuru said the people who were freed by the sacrifices made
by the likes of President Mugabe now turned around to denigrate his
contributions to the nation.

She said these same people were the ones who had called for the
imposition of sanctions on Zimbabwe.

"It is amazing that some people are calling for sanctions against their
own country.

"After that they come back to the people and blame Cde Mugabe for the
country’s economic woes.

"As Zimbabweans we should learn to appreciate the good works by our own
people like Cde Chando," VP Mujuru said.

"Today you have big farms. Your children are able to become doctors and
other professionals. What more can you ask for? Zimbabwe is for
Zimbabweans," she said.
VP Mujuru said Zimbabweans should be wary of people who foment
divisions.

She described Senator Chando as a dedicated cadre and was one of the
first commanders of the liberation war.

VP Mujuru said she first met Cde Chando in 1974 when he — together with
other cadres — received her as she crossed the Zambezi River to join the
liberation struggle.

"I was asked to go and receive more advanced training in Mozambique
after information got to the trainers that I had downed a helicopter.
"After crossing the Zambezi River, the area had too many mosquitoes and
as a result I developed malaria which later turned cerebral.

"Other comrades lost hope that I would survive and proceeded with the
journey but it was Cde Chando and two other comrades who took turns to
carry me on their backs for two days until I got treatment, otherwise I
could have died at the age of 19.

"That was when I learnt that not all the freedom fighters died of the
bullet, but illnesses, hunger and other problems," VP Mujuru said.

She added that Cde Chando was a principled leader who never abused
authority.

"He was born to lead us in areas where most of us would not have
accepted to work," she said.

Transport Minister Nicholas Goche, who was also present, said he had
known Cde Chando since 1990 when he came back from a diplomatic posting
abroad.

He said he learnt three things from Cde Chando; dedication to duty,
discipline and co-operation.

"When the posts of senators were created he wanted to contest but the
constituency was reserved for a woman.

"He never said I would contest as an independent. He never tried to take
the seat through the back door," he said.

Zanu-PF Mashonaland Central provincial chairman Cde Dickson Mafios said
Cde Chando was resolute in defending the gains of the liberation
struggle.


Liberation war hero Mhondiwa buried

Chinhoyi Bureau

Liberation war hero Cde Chiyangwa Cornelius Mhondiwa Chimunye who died
last week has been laid to rest at the Chinhoyi Provincial Heroes’ Acre.

Cde Mhondiwa died on October 15 at his Karuru home in Hurungwe after an
illness.
He was 82.

Born on February 27, 1927, Cde Mhondiwa joined Zapu in 1966.

He was detained by the repressive Smith regime between 1977 and 1979 for
engaging in political activities.

After independence in 1980, he played a key role in the talks that led
to the signing of the 1987 Unity Accord. Cde Mhondiwa was a member of
Zanu-PF’s Mashonaland West provincial executive between 1990 and 1998,
during which he held the post of secretary for security.

He subsequently became a member of the National Consultative Assembly.

In his graveside speech on Saturday, Mashonaland West Governor and
Resident Minister Faber Chidarikire said Cde Mhondiwa was a hard worker
who worked well for his country and party.

He implored people to be united and ensure that the inclusive Government
worked to improve the economy and the standards of living.

"Like him, I implore everybody to make an effort to see the inclusive
Government succeed in turning around the economy," he said. Cde Mhondiwa
is survived by his wife and nine children.

The burial was attended by party officials from the province.


Mpofu eyes VP’s post

Bulawayo Bureau

Mines and Mining Development Minister Obert Mpofu yesterday declared his
interest in the vacant Vice President’s post.

After rumours had linked him to the post for about a month, Minister
Mpofu broke his silence and said people should be allowed to choose the
party’s next Vice President.

Minister Mpofu said he was prepared to take the vacant Zanu-PF Vice
President’s post if elected by the people.

He becomes the fourth party cadre to openly declare his interest after
Cdes Naison Ndlovu, Cain Mathema and Ambrose Mutinhiri.

National chairman Cde John Nkomo had already been proposed as the
candidate of choice by Bulawayo Province.

Speaking at Zanu-PF election victory celebrations in Nyamandlovu,
Minister Mpofu said those interested in the post should stop campaigning
through the media and let the people decide who they wanted to be their
leader.

"Some of the candidates who are vying for the post have never won a ward
in the constituencies. They do not have the support of their wives while
at the same time they want to be elected to be the Vice President of the
country.

"As for me, I’m quiet. I do not speak to anyone but if the people give
me the mandate to be the Vice President I will never let them down, I
will take the post," he said.

Minister Mpofu is also the Member of the House of Assembly for Umguza.

"We are looking at the future of the country. People should be given the
chance to elect an individual who represents the future and not those
who want to benefit by campaigning through the media when they know that
they do not have the support of the people."

Minister Mpofu said the essence of democracy was competition, hence if
given the chance he would show all the people vying for the position
that he represented the people.

"Let those who are interested in the post let the people decide who they
want and see who will oppose me.

"What I know is that when the people are given a chance to choose the
leader they want they do not stand a chance against me," he said.

Minister Mpofu said the people should be given the chance to elect a
leader who would serve their interests.

"If we choose a candidate that does not have the support of the people
who will he be speaking for?

"My record proves that I represent the people of this region.

"I was the only one in the region to be voted (for) by many people,"
said Minister Mpofu.

He castigated those who said the Vice President should be imposed
through party structures.

"The party should not impose the person they want to be the leader. As
for me I’m not interested in impositions. If the post is given to me by
the party I will not take it but if the people vote for me I will take
it," he said.

Minister Mpofu said there was no substitute for democracy.

The post of Vice President and party Second Secretary fell vacant in
August after the death of founding nationalist Cde Joseph Msika.

Since then, Senate President Cde Ndlovu, Bulawayo Metropolitan Governor
Cde Mathema and former Youth Minister and Zipra chief of staff Cde
Mutinhiri have all expressed their interest in the post.

National chairman Cde Nkomo has refused to comment on the issue saying
it would be wrong to do so because one of the provinces had nominated
him and this consequently made him an interested party.