Muchinguri-Kashiri hails Uhuru decentralisation
THE decentralisation of the 44th Independence Day celebrations to Buhera is a powerful reminder and endorsement of the supreme sacrifices made by the people of Manicaland – who due to their proximity to Mozambique, contributed immensely to the liberation of the country, a Cabinet Minister has said.
Defence Minister, Honourable Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, who is also Zanu PF national chairperson, said today’s generation should not forget and trivialise the sacrifices made by the gallant sons and daughters of Zimbabwe in liberating the country.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri was speaking during the Manicaland Provincial Independence and Drug and Substance Abuse Prayer held in conjunction with the Zimbabwe indigenous Interdenominational Council of Churches (ZIICC) at Murambinda last Saturday.
She applauded President Mnangagwa for decentralising the celebrations to all the provinces in line with Government’s mantra of leaving no one and place behind in the development agenda.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said due to its proximity to Mozambique, Manicaland, and Buhera in particular contributed immensely to the independence of the country.
Manicaland is home to nationalists and gallant fighters like Cdes Herbert Chitepo, William Ngangana, Ndabanengi Sithole, Victoria Chitepo, Stanley Urayayi Sakupwanya, Maurice Nyagumbo, Kumbirai Kangai, Edgar Tekere, Kenneth Manyonda and Nevison Nyashanu, among others.
Buhera is also revered for the Dzapasi Assembly Point, which was the largest assembly point for liberation fighters established during the ceasefire in 1979.
“Every family contributed towards the liberation struggle — we had war veterans, war collaborators, ex-detainees, and parents who
cooked, and as a result of the collaborative effort, today we hoist the Zimbabwean flag high, which is a symbol of freedom.
“Lest we forget, blood was shed. We have people from Buhera who perished in Mozambique and Zambia, fighting for this the independence which we will be celebrating here this year under the theme: ‘Zim@44: Unity, Peace and Development Towards Vision 2030,’” she said.
“They fought for the land which is now in our hands. We should make productive use of the land. We are now able to vote for the Government of our choice, which is Zanu PF. We should never forget the sacrifice by the gallant sons and daughters of the soil. The event used to be held in Harare every year, but when President Mnangagwa came to power, he said no to that. He said all the people fought for the liberation of the country, and the Independence Day celebrations should be held near to the people in rural areas. Some tried to push to have it in Mutare, but we said no, it must go to the people who fought the liberation war in rural areas. Apart from holding the gun, they know how to protect their vote. The people of Buhera are not sell-outs. We had MDC-T, and they rejected it in support of Zanu PF,” she said.
Turning to the issue of drug and substance abuse, Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri implored the church and parents to compliment Government’s efforts to eradicate drug and substance abuse.
Manicaland is being used as a conduit and a destination for smuggled illicit drugs, leading to a sharp increase in local consumption and peddling of narcotics even among schoolchildren.
The influx of drugs through the porous border has become a major concern for Government, and President Mnangagwa declared war against drug dealers and established an inter-ministerial taskforce chaired by Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri to deal with the problem.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said drugs commonly abused in local hotspots include cocaine, morphine, heroin, ecstasy, cannabis, broncleer (bronco), mandrax, hashish and crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as mutoriro, dombo or guka.
The drugs cost between US$1 for entry ones (alcohol, marijuana, cough syrups and prescription pills) and US$80 for those that are more addictive and capable of keeping abusers high for longer periods of time.
Marijuana is mostly grown in border areas of Chipinge, Chimanimani and Nyanga, while some of it is being smuggled from Mozambique and Malawi.
Cocaine, heroin and other hard drugs are smuggled from South Africa, Latin America and Afghanistan.
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza expressed hailed Government for affording Manicaland an opportunity to host the national event, highlighting that preparations for the commemorations are now at an advanced stage.
Minister Mugadza said at least 70 000 people are expected to attend this year’s event.
ZIICC official, Bishop Anismo Goronga said the church fully supports Government’s antidrugs and substance abuse campaign and has come up with various initiatives to foster good morals among the youth.