Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo |President Robert Mugabe ignored the burial of the late former Ambassador Alois Makumure Chidoda last week, triggering widespread outrage.
Chidoda(78) was the former ambassador to Botswana and Ethiopia and he was also the ruling party’s representative in Canada during the liberation struggle. Chidoda also played a pivotal role during the liberation war. Senior Zanu PF officials here surprisingly did not attend the burial of the late former ambassador. The only notable political figures at the funeral were former Zanu PF member and Zim People First senior official, Dzikamai Mavhaire and Maina Mandaba, the latter a Zanu PF official.
An irate Mavhaire said Chidoda deserved to be buried at the National Heroes Acre because of his contributions during the liberation struggle.
“The man deserved to be buried at the National Heroes Acre because of his immense contributions during the liberation struggle. He is the one who mobilised resources and arms of war for the ZANLA forces,” said Mavhaire.
Sources told ZimEye.com Zanu PF turned down the request from the family members to have him accorded national hero status.
Zanu PF National Commissar Saviour Kasukuwere claimed he was unaware of the ambassador’s death reflecting the level of neglect by the ruling party.
“I am not even aware of his death. The province was supposed to forward his credentials if they wanted him to be buried at the national shrine,” said Kasukuwere, indicating he knew little about the late ambassador.
Chidoda’s wife Rugare said the ruling party sat on the request adding Kasukuwere’s claims were baseless.
“We went to the PA’s office and we were advised to write a CV to the party and we did that. We submitted the CV to one Mai Mataruse who promised to come back to us but nothing was effected . What is being said is not true,” said Rugare.
Chidoda died last week after battling with cancer for six years, a period during which the ruling party totally neglected the former ambassador.
Appeals for medical assistance were also turned down by the ruling party.
To many’s surprise, Zanu PF Provincial Commissar Jeppy Jaboon also professed ignorance of Chidoda’s death.