Controversial opposition politician, Paul Siwela, recently sneaked into Zimbabwe to bury his father.

The leader of the Matabeleland Liberation Organisation, is campaigning for an immediate breakaway of Matebeleland from Zimbabwe, saying that the region remains underdeveloped and marginalised.

Siwela, a thorn in the flesh of the late former president Robert Mugabe, was declared a fugitive, after he skipped the country , escaping continued persecution by the regime. The politician had no kind words for South Africans, who hailed Mugabe as a hero, “What standard are they using to call Mugabe a hero? Its like someone coming here to South Africa and saying Pik Botha, Magnus Malan, Adriaan Vlok, John Vorster and the rest of them are heroes because they created South Africa that you see today, so would you call them heroes?”

Siwela confirms to the local weekly The Standard, that indeed he was in Zimbabwe, “Yes it’s true that my father has passed on in Bulawayo. He was 90 years old and nine months and is survived by four children and 18 grandchildren as well as eight great grandchildren,” he said.
Siwela said he had last seen his father in August in neighbouring South Africa where he had gone for treatment.
“I am pleased that I have lived up to 57 years having my dad and was last with him in August 2019 when I had taken him for medical attention to South Africa,”he said.