Tsvangirai received vehicles from RBZ’s Gideon Gono’

BY PATIENCE NYANGOVE Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai allegedly received two cars from two unnamed individuals associated with Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Gideon Gono. According to a US embassy cable released on Friday by Wikileaks MDC-T treasurer general Roy Bennett told American ambassador Charles Ray at a meeting last year that the two Gono associates also intended to purchase a US$1 million mansion for Tsvangirai in Harare. Tsvangirai is reportedly under investigation over the purchase of the house with allegations that he pocketed US$1,5 million he received from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. Bennett allegedly said he urged Tsvangirai to turn down the offers. “He was aware of reports that Tsvangirai was buying a US$1 million house in Harare,” reads part of the cable. “Bennett said he investigated and discovered that two individuals associated with Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Gideon Gono had proposed buying the house for Tsvangirai. “Bennett said he urged Tsvangirai to turn off the arrangement and Tsvangirai agreed. “Tsvangirai had, however, accepted two vehicles from these individuals.”  Bennett, who could not be reached for comment, allegedly told Ray that although the MDC-T was good at campaigning, it lacked a crop of politicians to run a government. He also took a swipe at Tsvangirai for often going against party positions. “Apart from the MDC, Bennett acknowledged that Zanu PF will be involved in a future Zimbabwe; the challenge is to identify those in Zanu PF who can play constructive roles, and to find ways to bolster them against extremists,” Ray allegedly said in the leaked cables. Tsvangirai’s spokesperson, Luke Tamborinyoka yesterday refused to comment saying he does not comment to people’s opinions. “We are only aware of what people of Zimbabwe cabled in 2008. It’s not our business whatsoever as to what the Ambassador communicates with his people.”

Chamisa, Gutu chide PM’s office

BY PATIENCE NYANGOVE AND NQABA MATSHAZI TWO senior MDC-T leaders allegedly told American ambassador to Zimbabwe Charles Ray that Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s office was a weak and indecisive.  MDC-T organising secretary Nelson Chamisa and Obert Gutu who is the party’s spokesperson for Harare province are quoted in one of the US embassy cables leaked by the whistleblower website Wikileaks. Ray said Chamisa “agreed” that there was a “common perception that Tsvangirai’s office was weak and had failed to play a coordinating role for government ministries.” Gutu allegedly had a meeting with Ray last year where he criticised Tsvangirai for flip-flopping on when the country should hold the next elections. “Gutu also stated that Tsvangirai had a tendency to listen to the wrong people. “He pointed to Ian Makone, Tsvangirai’s chief of staff, and Makone’s wife, Theresa, who is the Minister of Public Works (now Home Affairs co-minister). “He opined that neither was a good strategist, and that the Office of the Prime Minister was weak due to Ian Makone’s lack of leadership.” Chamisa was yesterday not available for comment while Gutu denied ever meeting with Ray. “I never met with Ambassador Ray, that story is a pack of lies. It is pure adulterated hogwash and pure propaganda,” he said.

Planes collide in Mujuru flypast

BY CAIPHAS CHIMHETE AND PATIENCE NYANGOVE There was near-disaster at the National Heroes Acre during the burial of former army commander Solomon Mujuru yesterday after two of the three jet fighters appeared to partially collide mid-air during a flypast. Mourners who thronged the national shrine looked in shock as two pieces peeled off one of the planes forcing it to temporarily lose balance mid-air. It quickly changed direction soon after the collision going north while the other two continued east. The two later changed direction to follow the plane that looked very unstable and appeared to be tumbling in mid-air, with mourners fearing that it would not make a safe landing. “This was going to be a disaster,” said one Air Force of Zimbabwe official who also witnessed the near mishap. “How can they embarrass the President like this? They will definitely be in trouble.” One of the officials said it was going to be a disaster had the plane plunged into the estimated 50 000 people that thronged the national shrine or had the two pieces fallen into the crowd. Most mourners including officials from the Air Force of Zimbabwe suspected that the plane would make an emergency landing at Charles Prince Airport just outside Harare or at the Harare International Airport. But some Air Force of Zimbabwe officials later told The Standard that the plane made a safe landing at Thornhill Airbase in Gweru. The officials said this was not the first time that the pilots and the controllers have bungled the fly-past. Air Force of Zimbabwe public relations officer Tobias Madenhe denied that it was an accident saying it was a “break formation.”  The burial was attended by people from all walks of life, some who walked from the nearby suburbs of Warren Park, Kambuzuma, Kuwadzana and Mabelreign. Most of the senior officials from the three political parties that form the inclusive government attended the burial. Among them were Vice President John Nkomo, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and his two deputies Thokozani Khupe and Arthur Mutambara as well as renowned singer Oliver Mtukudzi. Mujuru, the first black commander of the Zimbabwe National Army after independence died on Tuesday when fire gutted his farm house in Beatrice. The suspicious death has fuelled tension with some speculating that he was assassinated as part of Zanu PF’s factional wars. Police say they are still investigating the cause of the fire with initial reports indicating that a maid had left a candle burning in the house. Those doubting that the fire was an accident argue that Mujuru must have been able to escape from the fire since windows at the house do not have burglar proof bars. Mujuru was said to be leading a faction in Zimbabwe that was locked in a bitter war with another one led by Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa to succeed President Robert Mugabe. His wife Vice-President Joice Mujuru appealed for calm and discouraged people from speculating about the cause of his death. Zanu PF banned its officials from commenting about the death save for party spokesman Rugare Gumbo after speculation intensified that the former general was murdered.

Mujuru was opposed to Gukurahundi says Ncube

BY PATIENCE NYANGOVE THE late national hero General Solomon Mujuru did not play any part in the Gukurahundi atrocities that claimed an estimated 20 000 lives in Matabeleland and Midlands provinces, MDC leader Welshman Ncube said on Friday. Government deployed the North Korean trained 5 Brigade soon after independence ostensibly to deal with an insurgence. But human rights groups say the soldiers targeted supporters of the late Vice-President Joshua Nkomo and his Zapu party. Mujuru was the commander of the army at the time but his close associates say he was sidelined when 5 Brigade was set up and deployed. “He (Mujuru) refused to let the army be used for Gukurahundi because he had worked with Zipra leaders, the likes of Joshua Nkomo and Dumiso Dabengwa who to him remained comrades in arms,” Ncube said. “He urged that no military action should be taken against Nkomo. “Even though he was in charge of the army he distanced himself from Gukurahundi that is why the 5 Brigade reported directly to Mugabe.” Ncube added that even when stronger opposition parties like the MDC were formed at the turn of the century the late Mujuru never insulted or condemned the parties verbally or called for their supporters to be brutalised.

Mugabe changes tact, calls for calm

BY PATIENCE NYANGOVE AND CAIPHAS CHIMHETE President Robert Mugabe yesterday appealed for peace and tolerance after thousands of people from across the political divide thronged the National Heroes Acre for the burial of former army commander Solomon Mujuru. Mujuru died on Tuesday after his farm house in Beatrice was gutted by fire, sparking speculation that he was murdered. Mugabe deviated from his speech to give counsel to his supporters who constantly booed Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and deputy prime ministers Arthur Mutambara and Thokozani Khupe. He said there was no need to fight as Zimbabweans were one. “Lets create peace. We are very happy that over the past few months there have been remarkable peace,” he said. Mugabe said people must be free to choose leaders of their choice during elections. Mugabe said Mujuru was a unifier as he was instrumental in forging a united defence force soon after independence. “He sought to bring about a difference, a change of fortune and fate in the lives of black Zimbabweans for too long occupied, for too long oppressed, suppressed and sidelined in the affairs of their country,” he said. He said Mujuru was a symbol of the struggle, a figure of rich memories and inspiration. The veteran ruler described Mujuru as a legend who had managed to capture the respect and collective grief of the whole nation Mugabe also refrained from reading his prepared speech that appeared more combative with the Zanu PF sanctions mantra dominating. Part of the prepared speech read: “Above all, Rex shunned sanctions as a form of assault on the people of Zimababwe. “He was with us when we organised the anti-sanctions campaign. He signed the petition. “He denounced those sanctions and those behind them. How do you shed genuine tears for Rex when you stand opposed to the very ideals for which he fought and struggled? “How do you claim him and his legacy when you stand against his cause and the cause of the very people whose grievances motivated him? “How do you claim him today when you traffic with those he traded bullets with only yesterday?” Meanwhile, an estimated record crowd of 50 000 was at the national shrine. For the first time in many years Zanu PF did not have to bus people to attend the burial as was the norm when they bury other heroes at the shrine. Zimbabweans from all walks of life and political affiliation came in their thousands to bid farewell to the late general. Some people were perched in trees to enable them to follow proceedings while cars had to be parked at the National Sports Stadium and along Bulawayo road. People had to walk almost 2 km to the national shrine. Among those that attended were opposition leaders Dumiso Dabengwa, Tsvangirai, Khupe, Speaker of Parliament Lovemore Moyo, Welshman Ncube and Arthur Mutambara. Cabinet ministers from the three governing parties also attended.

Rex’s prophetic interview

Sunday, 21 August 2011

Sunday Mail 

  

Comrades-in-arms . . . Zipra commander Lookout Masuku (left) and then Zanla deputy commander Rex Nhongo on their return to Zimbabwe in 1979 after organising and leading the liberation struggle from outside the country.

In 1978, the late Retired General Solomon Mujuru  (known then as Rex Nhongo) was Zanu’s deputy defence secretary. Below we publish an interview he had with Tempo Magazine in Maputo, Mozambique, in December of that year. The interview was conducted in the heat of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle.
Tempo: In your opinion, what is the current state of the Rhodesian military following the latest destabilising campaigns by the Zimbabwean combatants, particularly the fire that recently destroyed Salisbury’s reserve fuel tanks?
Rex Nhongo: Smith’s regime is desperate. Our power is increasing as a result of popular support. The people of Zimbabwe are behind the armed struggle. Only two days ago, Smith, himself, just admitted in a radio and television transmission that his troops are already facing considerable challenges in containing the numerous actions by the combatants.
In addition to this, the masses and even the international community are beginning to understand the necessity of an armed struggle. However, information on our progress is often under-reported to outsiders as our information channels are not yet within our control. For example, our fighters have already attacked Umtali three times, information which is not available to the public.
Tempo:  The Smith government recently issued a public threat to the Government of the People’s Republic of Mozambique. It has vowed to execute violent attacks against Mozambique and to massacre ordinary citizens if the Mozambican government continues to support the Patriotic Front. What do you think about such a threat?
Rex Nhongo: This threat will not change anything. This threat is nothing new for us because Smith’s army has already been attacking the Mozambican people. It has been massacring the population since 1976; we have proof of this in Mapai, Changara, Mavue and other cases committed last week such as the attack on the Province of Sofala. This is nothing more than intimidation.
Tempo: Justin Nyoka, the Zimbabwean journalist who just spent three months in Zimbabwe with the Zanla forces, brought us important information on the liberated zones in Zimbabwe. As a fighter yourself, can you tell us what these liberated zones are?
Rex Nhongo: Liberated zones are areas where the enemy does not enter, zones within which the enemy can never be sighted. Of course when a free zone is discovered, it is immediately bombed by planes. But they are areas where the enemy troops do not venture. The morale of the combatants in these areas is very high. They have no doubt whatsoever that we will soon achieve victory.
Tempo: Can you explain to us from a politico-military perspective, the process which leads to the creation of a free zone?
Rex Nhongo: The first thing that we do when we get to an area which we know to be in the control of our forces, is to gather the civilian population in the area.
We then begin by giving clear explanations of our position. Why the armed struggle?! Then we make concerted efforts to remain with the masses. We stay together with them so that they will not alert the enemy agents. Isolating ourselves from the local populations would be our undoing. The same principle holds in the military camp.
Once our objective of sensitising the masses on the need for an armed struggle is achieved, the people themselves begin to ask to be armed.
After this we have a process of consolidating the free zones into the ideological and social framework. This begins with a session of political discussion with the people which is organised by our political commissars. It then continues through the creation of health centres, schools, etc.
As far as organising means of production in these liberated areas, we already have some co-operatives, but are currently faced with the challenge of defending them against air attacks.
Tempo: Zanu has just revealed that Zanla forces will soon mount a major offensive. Can you give us some general information on the new strategy that will be applied in this offensive?
Rex Nhongo: First of all, we will strongly descend on the only areas which are not liberated, the eastern horn. We will then proceed to the fundamental strategy of this offensive: the isolation of the enemy in the cities through the destruction of all avenues of communication.
To accomplish this, we will attempt to cut all roads and railway lines, as well as the telephone lines linking different cities. We will thus control all the land area leaving Smith with only the air space under his control. As far as the cities are concerned, we do not anticipate sophisticated defences.
Meanwhile we also have combatants inside the cities — factory workers — who we always keep informed on what is happening in the cities. Sometimes we also create conducive conditions for the entry of some groups of combatants.
Tempo: Infiltration by enemy agents in popular forces is a problem that is faced by many revolutionary movements. Can you tell us if this is a concern at the stage you are in?
Rex Nhongo: Infiltration is also a serious problem in Zanla, but it is not a problem that can stop the war.
Tempo: How do you think Smith will react when he finds that his defeat is imminent?
Rex Nhongo: I think we will have serious problems when that happens. He has already begun massacring populations, Zimbabwean civilians, in the hundreds.
I think he will then try to sabotage the economy. He will use napalm bombs everywhere. He will also conduct chemical warfare.
At this time, fear will grip the masses and they will begin to ask themselves who to support. But after a few months, they will hear that Smith has fled.

Go well dad, our best friend

Sunday, 21 August 2011

 

By Phyllis Kachere

THE late General Solomon Mujuru’s daughters from left Kuzivakwashe 22, Nyasha Del Campo 28, Chipo Makoni 32 and Kumbirai Mujuru found time to share a lighter moment at their home in Chisipite last week.

“HAVING been daddy’s little girl since birth, I would literally get away with murder with him. It was an unwritten expectation in our household that I could do as I wished and no one expected daddy to be angry with me no matter what.
“But when I told him during a little tiff with one of my siblings that I was no longer his little girl, I realised I had hurt my best friend, the one that I could talk to about anything with. I had never seen him that dejected.”
As she described the soft and nurturing side of the late national hero and a key architect of the liberation war General Solomon Tapfumaneyi Mujuru, his last daughter Kuzivakwashe Mujuru fought back tears that threatened to flood her face.
“The dejection on his face told it all. I had hurt him. And his stammering did not help him either,” 22-year-old Kuzivakwashe told The Sunday Mail at the family home in Chisipite, Harare, on Wednesday.
“He always referred to Sis Kumbi (referring to Gen Mujuru’s eldest daughter Kumbirai Mujuru) as vahanzvadzi. He said Sis Kumbi reminded him of his sister and it was va-va-vahanzvadzi throughout when it came to Sis Kumbi,” chipped in Mrs Chipo Makoni (32), who is his second daughter.
It was sad to know that as the Mujuru girls buried their dear father yesterday, it was Chipo’s birthday.
“All that I know about bicycles and men, I learnt from him. Yes, to others he was a battle-hardened soldier, but to us he remained a soft father. He never brought his military discipline to us. The humblest man I have ever known, he taught us to be humble,” said Kumbirai.
Chipo said General Mujuru was full of humour and sometimes was sarcastic, but he never meant it in a malicious way.
“Down-to-earth, this best describes this man everybody calls General. He taught us humility and never to judge other people. He would stand in a queue and would never try to jump the queue,” said Chipo.
For his third daughter Mrs Nyasha Del Campo, Gen Mujuru had a great sense of humour.
“It is a great honour to have had him as a father. I had daily access to him. Always there and always having solutions to all sorts of problems. I am heartbroken,” said Mrs Del Campo.
She said Gen Mujuru taught them to be humble as he himself was.
“He would go and play draughts with the poorest in Dzivaresekwa. No one will ever match his humility.
And for va-va-vahanzvadzi Kumbirai Mujuru (33) Gen Mujuru always had a soft spot for his daughters.
“We had this room always filled with sweets and he would just come and say out of the blue, ‘Va-va-na-a-angu (mimicking his stammer) huyai tidye maswiti (My children, come let’s eat sweets).
“He would reward success and discourage failure. He never berated us when we failed in an endeavour. Above all, he never kept grudges. Even when we got married he never demanded outrageous lobola for us,” said Kumbirai.
“He was a very forgetful man, perhaps that explained why he never kept grudges. When he eventually remembered you had wronged him, he would go, ‘Ha-a-a-. gara zviya wakanditadziraka iwe’ (Oh by the way, you wronged me) and then he would burst into laughter. One would know all is forgiven,” said Nyasha.
The girls said Gen Mujuru never expected any of them to join him in his military career.
“But if there was one who could have become a soldier amongst us, it would be Nyasha. She has a kind of military discipline in her,” chorused the Mujuru girls all too aware that dear dad was gone.-The Sunday Mail