Practical Ways In
Which Dumiso Dabengwa Must Be Honoured
By Dumisani O Nkomo
Much has been said about the life
and incredible heroism of former ZAPU intelligence supremo Dr Dumiso Dabengwa
who died last week. Indeed, his heroic acts dating back to his days as a
militant youth with the National Democratic Party to the battle of Wankie with
the Luthuli Detachment. The key now is, how he will be honoured going forward and
I would like to suggest several practical ways in which he can be honoured and
this revolves around issues which where dear to him.
1.Return of ZIPRA /
ZAPU Properties
In order to pro-actively enable
ex combatants to be reintegrated into society without being a burden ZAPU /
ZPRA mooted the idea of individual combatants contributing $50 each from their
demobilization money. This money was used to procure numerous properties
including farms, buildings and resorts such as Castel Arms. A company called
NITRAM was created to be the business vehicle for the ex-combatants in what was
extremely visionary planning. Properties such as Magnet House, were some of the
buildings which were procured as it was recognized that the real estate portfolio
was key in unlocking financial returns in the long term. The building is now
occupied by the Central Intelligence Organization. Significantly when the
government discovered arms caches in ZAPU farms such as Ascot Farm: all NITRAM
properties were confiscated. These weapons had apparently mainly been earmarked
for the A.N.C’s armed wing Umkhonto We Sizwe. This was the first case of
violation of property rights in post independent Zimbabwe as all the properties
were ruthlessly seized. In order to honour Dabengwa, these properties must be
returned to their rightful owners the ZPRA vets. This is a non-negotiable issue
which must be addressed urgently and later day. There must be a roadmap
detailing when and how these properties will be returned. Although a lot of
these properties are run down, they will go a long way in ensuring that genuine
ex-combatants were entitled to benefit as well as their families.
2.Implementation of
Zambezi Water Trust
This project was in Dabengwa’s
heart until his very last days. His vision was developmental in these last five
to ten years and he yearned for this project to be implemented so that hundreds
of thousands of jobs could be created in a 60 km greenbelt with upstream and
down-stream agro–industrial activities and finally water for Bulawayo which suffers
perennial water shortages. He had formed the Matabeleland Zambezi Water Trust
(MZWT) to pursue this dream and developed viable business models to ensure that
it was well funded. The Trust applied for mining concessions in Lupane to
facilitate self-funding for the Zambezi project but this was shot down by
senior government officials. If the government is serious about honouring
Dabengwa, it must ensure this project is implemented and there is a timeframe
to complete it. The project is listed in the Matrix which government developed
in response to fearless advocacy from the Matabeleland Collective. There must
be a clear roadmap including the granting of concessions to the MZWT and
completion of the Gwai Shangani Dam in the next 12 months. The national budget
must set aside funds for this project.
3.Implementation of
Devolution of Power
Devolution of power is something
which Dr Dabengwa vehemently believed in and in order to honour him this
project must be implemented immediately. There has been enough talking and “pie
in the sky talk” about devolution but what remains is action so the enabling
legislation to effect devolution must be put in place as a matter of the utmost
urgency in consultation with civil society and other stakeholders.
4. REWRITING THE COUNTRY’S
HISTORY
The country’s history is fatally
flawed and erroneously excludes the contribution of ZAPU and ZPRA in the
liberation struggle. The first guns to be brought into Zimbabwe were smuggled
into the country in 1962 after talks between Joshua Nkomo and Abdul Naser the then
Egyptian President. Once in the then Rhodesia, the young Bobylock Manyonga, was
unfortunately found in possession of dangerous weapons and the ZAPU efforts
foiled but the first weapons came into the country in 1962 and this is not
recorded in the country’s history in an accurate manner. The first militants to
escape from Grey Prison were Moffat Hadebe, Clarke Mpofu and two other cadres,
yet this incredible prison break remains unknown and undocumented. The exploits
of the John Dube led Luthuli detachment are not adequately captured neither is
the Sipholilo campaign led by Moffat Hadebe. The A.N.C / ZAPU alliance is not
fully captured in the annuls of Zimbabwean history neither is the contribution
of ZAPU, ZPRA stalwarts.
5.Adressing
Gukurahundi
The Gukurahundi Genocide must be
addressed holistically and comprehensively with a victim led approach being the
epi centre of the process and truth recovery and restorative justice being
cardinal to the process.
Lastly, the City of Bulawayo must
post humously award Freedom of the City to Dabengwa and name a street after him
together with Lookout Masuku, Nikita Mangena, Akim Ndlovu and Moffat Hadebe [he
is still alive]. ZAPU heroes such as
Sydney Malunga, Lazarus Nkala, Vote Moyo, Njini Ntuta, Edward Ndlovu, Steven
Nkomo, Sikwili Moyo, Albert Nxele and others must be honoured as well.
Dumisani O Nkomo
NKOMO is the Chief Executive Office Officer of Habakkuk
Trust
He Writes here in his personal capacity
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