Zimbabwe Heroes Day in PICTURES

By Nehanda Radio On Aug 9, 2016 Last updated Aug 9, 2016 1,094

Supporters of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe carry a portrait of him and his wife Grace during a gathering to honor the country's dead heroes, at the National Heroes Acre in Harare, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. The commemorations are held annually to honor the southern African country's dead heroes, particularly those who fought in the 1970s independence war. Leaders of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, who broke away from the 92-year-old president in July, boycotted the event. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe addresses party supporters during a gathering to honor the country’s dead heroes, at the National Heroes Acre in Harare, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016.

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, right, and his wife Grace attend a gathering to honor the country's dead heroes, at the National Heroes Acre in Harare, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. The commemorations are held annually to honor the southern African country's dead heroes, particularly those who fought in the 1970s independence war. Leaders of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, who broke away from the 92-year-old president in July, boycotted the event. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi) — Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, right, and his wife Grace attend a gathering to honor the country’s dead heroes, at the National Heroes Acre in Harare, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. The commemorations are held annually to honor the southern African country’s dead heroes, particularly those who fought in the 1970s independence war. Leaders of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, who broke away from the 92-year-old president in July, boycotted the event. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, centre, lays flowers at the tomb of the unknown soldier at a gathering to honor the country's dead heroes, at the National Heroes Acre in Harare, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. The commemorations are held annually to honor the southern African country's dead heroes, particularly those who fought in the 1970s independence war. Leaders of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, who broke away from the 92-year-old president in July, boycotted the event. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi) — Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, centre, lays flowers at the tomb of the unknown soldier at a gathering to honor the country’s dead heroes, at the National Heroes Acre in Harare, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. The commemorations are held annually to honor the southern African country’s dead heroes, particularly those who fought in the 1970s independence war. Leaders of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, who broke away from the 92-year-old president in July, boycotted the event. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)

A child dressed in a soldier uniform smiles as he listens to Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe addressing party supporters at a gathering to honor the country's dead heroes, at the National Heroes Acre in Harare, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. The commemorations are held annually to honor the southern African country's dead heroes, particularly those who fought in the 1970s independence war. Leaders of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, who broke away from the 92-year-old president in July, boycotted the event. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi) — A child dressed in a soldier uniform smiles as he listens to Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe addressing party supporters at a gathering to honor the country’s dead heroes, at the National Heroes Acre in Harare, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. The commemorations are held annually to honor the southern African country’s dead heroes, particularly those who fought in the 1970s independence war. Leaders of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, who broke away from the 92-year-old president in July, boycotted the event. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)

Soldiers salute Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe during a gathering to honor the country's dead heroes, at the National Heroes Acre in Harare, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. The commemorations are held annually to honor the southern African country's dead heroes, particularly those who fought in the 1970s independence war. Leaders of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, who broke away from the 92-year-old president in July, boycotted the event. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi) — Soldiers salute Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe during a gathering to honor the country’s dead heroes, at the National Heroes Acre in Harare, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. The commemorations are held annually to honor the southern African country’s dead heroes, particularly those who fought in the 1970s independence war. Leaders of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, who broke away from the 92-year-old president in July, boycotted the event. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)

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A supporter of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe holds a banner with a message for foreign embassies, at a gathering to honor the country's dead heroes, at the National Heroes Acre in Harare, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. The commemorations are held annually to honor the southern African country's dead heroes, particularly those who fought in the 1970s independence war. Leaders of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, who broke away from the 92-year-old president in July, boycotted the event. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi) — A supporter of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe holds a banner with a message for foreign embassies, at a gathering to honor the country’s dead heroes, at the National Heroes Acre in Harare, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. The commemorations are held annually to honor the southern African country’s dead heroes, particularly those who fought in the 1970s independence war. Leaders of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, who broke away from the 92-year-old president in July, boycotted the event. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)

Soldiers march while waiting for Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe to arrive at a gathering to honor the country's dead heroes, at the National Heroes Acre in Harare, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. The commemorations are held annually to honor the southern African country's dead heroes, particularly those who fought in the 1970s independence war. Leaders of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, who broke away from the 92-year-old president in July, boycotted the event. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi) — Soldiers march while waiting for Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe to arrive at a gathering to honor the country’s dead heroes, at the National Heroes Acre in Harare, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. The commemorations are held annually to honor the southern African country’s dead heroes, particularly those who fought in the 1970s independence war. Leaders of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, who broke away from the 92-year-old president in July, boycotted the event. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)

The commemorations are held annually to honor the southern African country’s dead heroes, particularly those who fought in the 1970s independence war.

Leaders of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, who broke away from the 92-year-old president in July, boycotted the event.

Mugabe used the commemoration rally to criticise continuing protests against him. He warned that “protests don’t pay because they usually end up being violent.

“How does it help to go on the streets just to show that you can throw stones, stoning the police?”

He also accused former unity government prime minister Morgan Tsvangrai, whose opposition Movement for Democratic Change party is involved in the demonstrations, of regime-change ambitions.

“I heard Tsvangirai calling for a coalition as the only way to unseat the government,” he said.

The 92-year-old Zanu-PF president commended the security forces “for the calm that has been, the peace that has been.”

Protests have escalated over the last few weeks following delays of pay for civil servants, nurses, teachers, police and soldiers.

Police used tear gas and batons on protesters last week.