One cannot be a hero and looter at the same time

FORTY years after Zimbabwe got its independence after nearly 100 years under colonialism, its citizens are scattered all over the world running away from different ills which have left Mbuya Nehanda and Sekuru Kaguvi turning in their unmarked graves.

Our heroes have become looters and corrupt individuals delving in nepotism, egoism and bragging about their wartime exploits real or imagined, while the country is in flames.

The real heroes who harboured and cooked for the guerrillas live in poverty and some died paupers while Zanu PF leaders are living lavishly like the Egyptian Pharaohs.

As we celebrate this year’s Heroes Day holiday, many people are shocked by the unenlightened despotism and Stone Age accumulation of wealth by the ruling elite in Zanu PF.

The massive corruption and plunder of our natural resources by a little clique in the corridors of power has left Zimbabweans more poorer than before.

Is this what our fallen heroes died for? Certainly, this is not what they laid down or sacrificed their lives for.

In 1980, there were great dreams and expectations for this nation. But the hope evaporated as our heroes, turned villains deliberately sabotaging the economy through corruption.

There is no more industry to talk about. After grabbing land, the government has failed to motivate the new farmers.

Zimbabwe needs new stewards. There is need to make Zimbabwe prosper again.

At the moment those leading the nation have failed to rise to be heroes. We only see failed politicians busy amassing wealth for themselves, while the nation bleeds to death.

Even in the Bible, the children of Israel finally reached Canaan after 40 years in the desert. But we wonder when we will reach our own “Canaan” with this level of corruption, poverty, unemployment and human rights abuses.

Pardon Maguta