Published by the government of Zimbabwe
26 October 2009
Bindura — Zimbabweans should remember that the freedom they currently enjoy did not come on a silver platter, Vice President Joice Mujuru has said.
Addressing mourners yesterday at Bamboo Creek Farm in Shamva following the death of Senator Misheck Takaedza Chando in a car accident last Friday, VP Mujuru said the people who were freed by the sacrifices made by the likes of President Mugabe now turned around to denigrate his contributions to the nation.
She said these same people were the ones who had called for the imposition of sanctions on Zimbabwe.
"It is amazing that some people are calling for sanctions against their own country.
"After that they come back to the people and blame Cde Mugabe for the country's economic woes.
"As Zimbabweans we should learn to appreciate the good works by our own people like Cde Chando," VP Mujuru said.
"Today you have big farms. Your children are able to become doctors and other professionals. What more can you ask for? Zimbabwe is for Zimbabweans," she said.
VP Mujuru said Zimbabweans should be wary of people who foment divisions.
She described Senator Chando as a dedicated cadre and was one of the first commanders of the liberation war.
VP Mujuru said she first met Cde Chando in 1974 when he -- together with other cadres -- received her as she crossed the Zambezi River to join the liberation struggle.
"I was asked to go and receive more advanced training in Mozambique after information got to the trainers that I had downed a helicopter. "After crossing the Zambezi River, the area had too many mosquitoes and as a result I developed malaria which later turned cerebral.
"Other comrades lost hope that I would survive and proceeded with the journey but it was Cde Chando and two other comrades who took turns to carry me on their backs for two days until I got treatment, otherwise I could have died at the age of 19.
"That was when I learnt that not all the freedom fighters died of the bullet, but illnesses, hunger and other problems," VP Mujuru said.
She added that Cde Chando was a principled leader who never abused authority.
"He was born to lead us in areas where most of us would not have accepted to work," she said.
Transport Minister Nicholas Goche, who was also present, said he had known Cde Chando since 1990 when he came back from a diplomatic posting abroad.
He said he learnt three things from Cde Chando; dedication to duty, discipline and co-operation.
"When the posts of senators were created he wanted to contest but the constituency was reserved for a woman.
"He never said I would contest as an independent. He never tried to take the seat through the back door," he said.
Zanu-PF Mashonaland Central provincial chairman Cde Dickson Mafios said Cde Chando was resolute in defending the gains of the liberation struggle.
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