By Farai D Hove | The death of Gen Josiah Tongogara on December 26, 1979, remains a highly debated and mysterious event in the history of Zimbabwe. At the time, Tongogara, the ZANLA army commander, was a key figure in the country’s struggle for independence. The circumstances surrounding his demise are clouded with intrigue, implicating Emmerson Mnangagwa, a relatively unknown figure at the time, in a plot that allegedly involved infiltrating ZANLA army structures after developing a relationship with Tongogara’s sister.
According to Grace Mugabe, the wife of ZANU President Robert Mugabe, Mnangagwa was suspected of orchestrating a conspiracy not only against Tongogara but also against Mugabe himself on that fateful day. Mnangagwa’s purported involvement raises questions about the complex political dynamics within ZANU and the broader struggle for independence.
Oppah Muchinguri, who was accompanying Tongogara in Mozambique, has added to the suspicions by expressing doubts about the circumstances of the general’s death during their journey back to Zimbabwe. Muchinguri’s statements contribute to the ongoing speculation surrounding Tongogara’s demise.
The central figure in Mugabe’s suspicions regarding Tongogara’s death appears to be Mnangagwa. However, it is crucial to approach historical accounts with a critical lens, considering the absence of concrete evidence and the potential influence of political motivations. The intricacies of power struggles and internal dynamics within liberation movements often lead to differing narratives and interpretations of historical events.
The unresolved questions surrounding Gen Tongogara’s death underscore the challenges in unraveling the complexities of political intrigues during periods of intense struggle for independence.
LOUD CALLS FOR PEACE
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s recent appeals for peace and unity are being critically examined against a backdrop of serious, detailed allegations suggesting a pattern of personal and political conflict extending over decades.
Allegations of Personal and National Conflict
Mnangagwa’s history since his arrival in Mozambique from Zambia (1975-1977) is marred with accusations of divisive actions and personal betrayals, contrasting sharply with his current rhetoric of unity.
Grace Mugabe’s Accusation
Former First Lady Grace Mugabe made a striking accusation against Mnangagwa, linking him to plots against her husband. “He wanted to kill the president, he was working with white people when he told the president to go to Mozambique saying the whites want to kill you. ‘The President was ordered by Nyerere, Robert go back home!, I said go back home,'” she alleged.
Cde Karen Kazingizi’s Testimony
Cde Karen Kazingizi, a respected war veteran, disputed Mnangagwa’s role in the liberation struggle. “Emmerson Mnangagwa didn’t fight in the liberation struggle, he was only handpicked by Robert Mugabe to displace and divide real fighters,” she stated, undermining his claims of being a freedom fighter.
https://twitter.com/ZimEye/status/1384142777663983618?t=Sypn4PTyVzRqp4ABL_5v8A&s=19
Allegations of Infiltration and Division
Mnangagwa’s actions in Mozambique have been characterized by allegations of infiltration and division. In 1975, he was accused of engaging in a relationship with Josiah Tongogara’s sister, a move seen as a strategic manipulation. Later, in 1977, he was implicated in efforts to divide ZANU leadership.
The Death of Josiah Tongogara
Adding to the gravity of these allegations is the 1979 assassination of Josiah Tongogara, an event in which Mnangagwa’s involvement has been speculated upon but never proven.
Diana Mnangagwa’s Personal Account
His sister, Diana Mnangagwa, recounted a personal and disturbing story from their past in the 1940s. “He made me eat snake poison, and I ended up assaulting him, biting him at the forehead.
Mnangagwa poisoned his own sister, Dianah, according to these State Media allegations which have remained undenied for over 60 years. This is revealed in this compilation showing how the two leaders of Zim and its former colonial master, UK, have been cruel from childhood. pic.twitter.com/79Y02JUZkt
— ZimEye (@ZimEye) July 24, 2022
That’s why he has a mark on his nose to this day,” she claimed, shedding light on a troubled family history.
Destruction of ZANU PF Structures
From 1980 to 2019, Mnangagwa is alleged to have played a significant role in the dismantling of ZANU PF structures, a claim that stands in stark contrast to his current position as a unifier.