Mpofu criticises Zanu PF hero selection
By Lance Guma
The Minister of Mines and Mining Development Obert Mpofu who is also the MP for Umguza, has launched a surprising attack on his own Zanu PF party over its controversial monopoly and criteria for selecting national heroes.
Mpofu was addressing thousands of people gathered at a funeral service for the late legendary Zimbabwean striker Adam Ndlovu in Bulawayo. Zanu PF declined a request from its own provinces to have Ndlovu declared a hero.
Zanu PF Secretary for Administration Didymus Mutasa said the honour was only for liberation war fighters. But Mpofu slammed the process querying why hero status should be a party thing instead of coming from the people.
Mpofu said Ndlovu showed he is a national hero via the thousands of people who came from all the provinces in the country. Even players, supporters and executive members from Dynamos all came to support Adam who played for bitter rival Highlanders.
The Minister also challenged his colleagues in government to come out with a system that will honour sporting heroes and heroines instead of waiting for a committee made up of few people to decide who should be a hero or heroine.
“We have been reading in the press about people saying whatever they want about Ndlovu’s hero status, people talking about things and people they totally have no idea of.
“Let it be known that this man lying lifeless in front of us was a true unifier and your presence today has actually made him a true hero. As politicians, Adam has brought us together and if he was to wake up now, I am sure we as politicians we would leave this place with unity cards,” said Mpofu.
On Tuesday it was reported that the super-rich Mpofu had taken over the payment of medical expenses for Peter Ndlovu and funeral expenses for Adam. Mpofu on Tuesday visited Peter at Mater Dei Hospital where he was admitted.
Mpofu accused of acquiring his massive fortune from corrupt deals in the diamond mining industry even took his PR offensive a step further vowing he would make sure Highlanders who are facing financial problems will not die.
Meanwhile former Warriors captain and current Under 23 coach Peter Ndlovu attended the funeral service of his brother and had to make use of a wheelchair. He was accompanied by nurses and a doctor with an ambulance on standby.
Adam Ndlovu funeral in pictures
To e-mail this journalist use [email protected] or follow him on twitter @LanceGuma
