One of the key individuals behind the genocide that saw 20 000 innocent people massacred in the Matabeleland and Midlands provinces will next week be back in the region to officially handover keys to the new Highlanders FC team bus.
Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa was the State Security Minister during the Gukurahundi Massacres and his choice as the guest of honour at Highlanders’ home ground of Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo is proving controversial. He is known as ‘the butcher of Matabeleland’ for his role in the massacres.
According to reports the bus was bought in South Africa with the assistance of club benefactor Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube.
It is also not a coincidence that Dube is the Zanu PF candidate for Makokoba in by-elections that are going to be held four days later. The main opposition MDC-T is boycotting them while demanding electoral reforms.
The choice of Mnangagwa to preside at the function has however not gone down well with many victims and activists given he has never publicly apologized for his role in the massacres. President Robert Mugabe described the genocide as a “moment of madness” but never offered any apology for the tragic episode.
Nehanda Radio understands Highlanders came up with $20 000, which was the prize money from the Bob89 tournament in 2013. Retired Colonel Dube added $25 000 for the purchase of a brand- new Marcopolo bus. Bosso reportedly needed about $27 000 for duty and extended a begging bowl to well-wishers.
The bus has already been cleared by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority at the Beitbridge border post and is already on its way. It will be handed over to Highlanders by Mnangagwa on 6 June at Barbourfields Stadium.
The bus will pass through places like Manwele and Fusini on its way to Barbourfields. Manwele and Fusini are two popular areas in Mzilikazi and Makokoba, where Highlanders has a cult following. After the presentation ceremony, Bosso Legends will take on Members of Parliament in a match.
Politicians in Zanu PF have over the years continued to exploit the popularity of teams like Highlanders, Dynamos and Caps United to try and win votes. The Dynamos leadership including its current patron, former minister Webster Shamu, has always been dominated by Zanu PF members.
Wealthy Transport Minister Obert Mpofu has also been projecting himself as a sugar-daddy of sorts for Highlanders as is Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube who contributed to the purchase of the team bus. Critics point out that some of these officials are essentially spending money looted from state resources.
