The ManicaPost
Lovemore Kadzura Rusape Correspondent
THOUSANDS of people drawn from across the political divide put aside their differences and thronged the Makoni District Heroes Acre and Vengere Stadium for this year’s Heroes and Zimbabwe Defence Forces celebrations.
At both events, the acting District Administrator Mr Darlington Museka delivered the Presidential speeches.
The Heroes Day was held at the district shrine, which is adjacent the infamous Butcher Site, where hundreds of civilians and guerrilla fighters were executed and buried in shallow graves by the brutal Rhodesian army during the struggle for independence.
The ZDF celebrations were held Vengere Stadium, with the capacity crowd that filled it being entertained by various performances from school pupils, police and mock battles from 32 Infantry Battalion.
Makoni Central MP-elect Mr David Tekeshe (MDC Alliance) broke ranks with his party and attended both occasions, saying the role played by the gallant daughters and sons of the soil to liberate the country was too supreme to ignore. Mr Tekeshe, who is a maverick businessman, also made significant financial and material contributions towards the events.
The Makoni Central MP-elect was hailed by many for his rare show of humility and recognition of the role played by the fallen heroes and heroines.
His attendance was despite the fact his party was contesting the elections results announced by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) won by President Mnangagwa at the Constitutional Court.
Mr Tekeshe said he attended as a citizen and MP-elect.
“The commemorations were so good, and political parties must not allow their followers to put on their party regalia. Heroes and Zimbabwe Defence Forces days are national events and must not be diluted by party regalia or partisan politics,” said Mr Tekeshe.
