Harare, Zimbabwe (News of the South)-The recently dead ZANU PF member Kizito Chivamba, who was declared a provincial hero, was no such and his biography was a sanitised PR exercise by the ruling party according to an analyst.
Alex Magaisa, a renowned political commentator, lamented what he called a distortion of history by those in power who managed to rewrite history leaving Chivamba with a glowing eulogy after his death.
This is despite the presence of extensive public knowledge to the fact that Chivamba was a roguish party zealot who was even arrested and found guilty for attempted murder.
Chivamba, who died at Gweru Central Hospital after a short illness, was later pardoned by President Robert Mugabe in 1991 after a brazen attempt on Patrick Kombayi’s life whom he had shot.
In state media statements after his death the Chiwundura legislator was described as a dedicated and gallant cadre who had worked well with Simon Muzenda.
ZANU PF Midlands Secretary for Information Cornelius Mupereri said Chivamba was a “dedicated party member who was spearheading party development programmes in the province”.
Midlands Province Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Jason Machaya said Chivamba “worked well with people and was dedicated and committed to the revolutionary party”.
Magaisa has however scoffed at the incessant praises lavished upon Chivamba saying it’s a distortion of the truth.
“This is a sanitised bio of the late Kizito Chivamba and you know it. Distorted history”, he said.
“Both Chivamba & Kanengoni (with whom he shot Kombayi) were soon pardoned by President Mugabe, a clear condonation of political violence & a culture of impunity”, added Magaisa.
Patrick Kombayi’s family have also complained about the bestowal of hero status of Chivamba saying the move defies all logic and morality.
The issues on the bestowal of heros status on dead people has raised much ire in the country with opposition parties accusing the ruling ZANU PF of making the whole process a party affair and not national matter.
On its party ZANU PF, through President Mugabe, has scoffed at the opposition and sarcastically urged them to create their own Heroes Acre.
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