HARARE – Opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) says massive suffering and oppression under the current Zanu PF led government was far from what the country’s fallen liberators fought for.
Party spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere made the comments on a day President Emmerson Mnangagwa told the nation his administration was “unrelenting in its pursuit to entrench Constitutionalism, the rule of law”.
In a statement to mark the country’s 42nd Heroes Day Commemorations Monday, CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere lamented the “destroying the liberation struggle’s victorious legacy” by the country’s black rulers.
She said the country’s annual Heroes Day and Defence Forces commemorations have been turned into Zanu PF projects when they in fact concerned all Zimbabweans regardless of political affiliation.
“The liberation struggle was anchored on the fight for free, fair and credible elections,” Mahere said.
“As a citizens’ movement, the CCC acknowledges the effort and sacrifices of the soldiers, war veterans, war collaborators and citizens, living and departed, who contributed to attaining the liberation of our nation from colonial rule and citizen heroes who have raised the Zimbabwe’s flag high.
“Heroes’ Day belongs to all Zimbabwean citizens. We acknowledge and respect all national processes that relate to the history and legacy of Zimbabwe as this is the collective definition of our identity as a people.
“The political persecution of citizens, election violence, the people’s mass suffering, hunger, poverty and unemployment are not what our heroes fought for.
“Freedom and democracy remain on trial as citizens are incarcerated..
“We call for the legacy of our heroes to be upheld through the respect of all citizens’ human dignity.”
Meanwhile, in his keynote address to the nation on the occasion of Heroes Day Commemorations, Mnangagwa appeared distancing his administration from claims of violating the ideals of the struggle.
“In line with my Administration’s commitment to uphold the democracy bequeathed to us by our fallen heroes and heroines; Zimbabwe is unrelenting in its pursuit to entrench Constitutionalism, the rule of law, good governance and respect for human rights,” Mnangawga said.
“The heroes we honour fought for the democracy and the equal access to justice we are enjoying as a country.
“Let us therefore, individually and collectively, protect it from all forms of abuse and desecration, more so by those who never came to our help during the brutal oppressive years under white settler colonial regime.”
