MUGABE'S GOVERNMENT WAS BIASED AGAINST ZIPRA CADRES!

A chronicle of government bias against Zipra cadres

sundayview by Judith Todd

LINK!!!!!!


THE second letter was dated 8 September 1980 and was signed by Masuku alone.


We have again decided to bring to your attention, as Prime Minister and Minister of Defence our concern, resulting from a number of events and pronouncements that complicate the process of fulfilling our duties. These developments do not in any way assist us in our determined effort to mould ONE NATION.


1.We have found out that ZANLA, the military wing of Zanu PF has been sending people for military training outside the country. This is contrary to the previously agreed position ie only those programmes already in process prior to the start of the integration exercise should be left to continue. ZANLA has been sending people for military training in Nigeria, Ethiopia, Yugoslavia, Romania and etc.

2. As components of the Zimbabwe National Army we have not been informed of the total of ZANLA comrades still outside the country undergoing military training. On our part, with utmost sincerity, we have submitted this data in an effort to alleviate suspicion created by Western news media on the numbers of Zipra cadres and "their intentions".

3.We would Comrade Prime Minister, like to bring to your attention and consideration the plight of the demobilised comrades. As a result of absence of facilities provided for and means of livelihood for these comrades, many have resorted to a number of anti-social activities like armed robbery etc. We recommend that these comrades be absorbed into the army, firstly as a method of bringing them under control and secondly to give the government time to analyse the problem with a view to finding a lasting solution.

4. It is our observation that there is disparity in the provision of facilities to the war-disabled comrades of Zipra and Zanla by the authorities concerned. We have, for instance, only heard of Zanla disabled comrades travelling to Britain and Tanzania for artificial limbs and none from Zipra.

5. We would like to bring to your notice that despite constant appeals there is no change on official bias against Zipra and its contribution to the liberation of our motherland which we pointed out in our first memorandum paragraphs three (3) and four (4). The ZBC and ZTV continue projecting only Zanla’s image vis-à-vis the liberation struggle. Only the massacres of Chimoio and Nyadzonia are projected and nothing on the massacres at Mkushi, Freedom Camp in Zambia and in Angola. This makes the Zipra cadres question their very future existence in the Zimbabwe National Army. We are aware, Comrade Prime Minister, that directives have been issued to the staff of ZBC and ZTV to project Zanla’s image only.

6.We have observed with great concern the increase in inter-parties rivalry, resulting in some cases in destruction of property and loss of lives. We would like to inform you that some of the victims regrettably have been members of Zipra on their way to or from leave. The following examples serve to illustrate:

a) A Zipra cadre who was shot dead in Gatooma.

b) The attempted kidnapping of nine (9) Zipra comrades when trying to board a bus for Mushumbi Pools at Harare.

c) The injury of three (3) Patriotic Front members at Seke.

d) The armed attack on the Administrative Secretary of the PF Zapu in a Salisbury suburb.

e) Comrade Prime Minister, we are on record as having taken measures against those of our ranks who have defied orders, by way of molesting people. We now find it difficult to continue with the exercise without any positive reciprocity from our counterparts of Zanla.

7.We wish to point out that some of these unhealthy developments are a direct result of statements in our various mass media (newspapers, ZBC and ZTV) or at meetings by members of the government. These developments violate the spirit of reconciliation and the consequences thereof are too ghastly to contemplate.

8. Finally, Comrade Prime Minister, we wish to recommend that a meeting of the two major parties in the government be convened to discuss these sad and serious developments. The objective should be to create peace and stability and move forward with one spirit — a spirit to mould a strong and unbending nation.

We remain determined to play our part to the full.


L K V Masuku

Commander (Zipra)

Joint High Command

Cc Minister of Home Affairs


Neither letter was acknowledged, let alone answered.

As Lookout’s condition deteriorated, more and more high-ranking people came to visit him. On Saturday 15 March, he dictated an outline of letters to be properly rewritten and typed up for him to sign:

1.To Emmerson Mnangagwa. Thanking him for visiting me in hospital. Thanking government for sending me to hospital. Thanking him for recommending my release.

2.To Dr Sydney Sekeramayi. Thanking him for visiting me. Thanking him for expediting the arrival of the necessary drugs for my treatment.

3.To Enos Nkala. Thanking him for message of sympathy he sent and for his wishes for an early recovery. Thanking him for signing the revocation order for my detention to be lifted.

4.To Eddison Zvobgo. Thanking him for the quick arrangement in sending me to hospital when my condition was serious. Thanking him for visiting me in hospital. Thanking the government for allowing my wife to go to the GDR for treatment. Thanking him for looking into my problems while I was in prison.

5. Army Commander Lt Gen Nhongo. Thanking him for visiting me and the help he sent me after visiting. Batteries, fruit, toothpaste.

Now Lookout was getting tired and he dictated for only one more person:

6. Air Force Commander Tungamirai. Same letter.

Mary Ndlovu came up from Bulawayo to see her husband Edward in Chikurubi Maximum Prison and Bryant Elliot, whom I myself went to see. Bryant thought it was unwise for Lookout to write any thank you letters. Bryant really had his hands full. As I left his office, I bumped into Shamiso Nyashanu. Lookout couldn’t understand why Bryant didn’t want him to send letters. I promised to get Bryant to discuss the matter with him.

While I was with Lookout that day, the nurse gave him pills in a cup. He said he knew two of them, but the other two were new, and he asked what they were. "I may not be a doctor, but I can see." The new needle in his arm was a long one, and causing more swelling. As I left, I saw Joshua Nkomo, Isaac Nyathi and two others who were on their way in to visit Lookout.

On Thursday 20 March I was surprised to see that Lookout wasn’t on the drip. I asked about this, and he told me that the medicine had run out . . . Both his other visitors and I were concerned. One of them said: "But doesn’t this disrupt the whole treatment?"

Lookout, full of equanimity as ever, shrugged, smiled and said: "Well what can be done." He was making a statement, not asking a question. I had been told the medicine was toxic, which was why it had to enter his system slow drip by slow drip over many hours. An interruption in treatment would surely be devastating.


Excerpt from Judith Todd’s latest book, Through the Darkness; A Life in Zimbabwe, available from www.zebrapress.co.za.