Mugabe avoids Tekere Heroes Acre burial

By Never Kadungure

It was always going to be odd for him to officiate at the burial of his arch critic, so it was no surprise that Robert Mugabe hid behind the SADC Summit in South Africa to avoid the Heroes Acre burial of liberation war icon Edgar Tekere on Sunday.

The truth is that if Mugabe really wanted to attend, the burial date could have been set by Zanu PF such that it would not clash with the burial of the man who took him to Mozambique to launch the liberation war.

Instead it was acting President John Nkomo who delivered the key note speech where he admitted Tekere deserved to be a national hero despite Zanu PF’s hesitation to accord him national hero status.

Tekere was expelled from Zanu PF in 1988, for constantly criticising the party for its corruption and autocratic rule. In the late 90’s he formed the Zimbabwe Unity Movement (ZUM) after Zanu PF tried to push a one party state agenda.

Tekere has now been buried at the National Heroes Acre despite saying he did not want to be buried amongst ‘thieves and crooks’ from Zanu PF who are buried at the national shrine.

The 74 year old died on Tuesday in Mutare after a long battle with prostate cancer.