FORMER Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association (ZNLWVA) leader Jabulani Sibanda yesterday gave a solidarity message at the Tendai Biti-led People’s Democratic Party convention in Harare, where he urged all opposition parties to unite and dislodge Zanu PF.
BY RICHARD CHIDZA
Sibanda, kicked out of Zanu PF last year along other former ruling party stalwarts including former Vice-President Joice Mujuru, challenged President Robert Mugabe to release the Gukurahundi massacre report.
Said Sibanda: “Mugabe instituted a report to find out what happened in Matabeleland, but has not made it public. Until we see that report, we are not going to respond to this man (Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa). I can assure you that time is on our side, God is on our side and victory is on our side.”
An emotional Sibanda, who received standing ovations as he spoke, said Mugabe’s government must begin to take responsibility for the Gukurahundi atrocities instead of threatening members of his People First political outfit led by Mujuru.
“They are threatening us, but I can only refer you to the Bible, Hosea 8v7: ‘Those that plant the wind will reap the whirlwind’. Do not go around planting wind because you will reap whirlwind. Zimbabwe is like a country emerging from war or an earthquake. Let us work together.
“We should not continue blaming others for killing our people during the armed struggle and not blaming ourselves for killing unarmed people in Matabeleland in their thousands. We are not going to tolerate that,” Sibanda said.
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“That we have worked with people whose hands are dripping with blood does not mean we are fools or stupid. We are patriots who put national interests first.
“So I have come here in solidarity. I have been sent here by my leadership at People First to call on you, let us find ways to integrate these people into one common force that can withstand the forces within and without our country, forces of division and oppression.”
He added: “They have vilified the revolution, the people of Zimbabwe and their heroes. Can we still look at them as people who fought for this country? No! They could have been among us, but not with us,” Sibanda said, in reference to recent comments attributed to Mnangagwa claiming the late former Vice-President Joshua Nkomo and other late nationalists were sell-outs.
“They have vilified Lookout Masuku, the former Zipra commander, and he was not buried at the National Heroes’ Acre. They have vilified (Retired General) Solomon Mujuru, even though they declared him a national hero and now they are vilifying Joshua Nkomo.”
