THE late liberation war hero, Tinaye Elisha Nzirasha Chigudu, is one among few war veterans who stood for justice for common men and women.
He turned the gun into a discipline stick to his juniors during the war and wanted many to remain civilian.
My personal encounter with the late national hero was in September 2000 in the farming town of
Karoi.
It was during the height of farm invasions and there were tensions between some white commercial farmers and a group of war veterans who led the farm invasions.
In Karoi, Muneri Chakwana, aka Black Jesus, was the leader of the invaders and white farmers complained that there was no rule of law at all.
What raised tension was the attack on farmer Marshal Roper, who was struck with a machete, that cut off his nose leaving it hanging by a thread of flesh.
Roper was evacuated to Harare for medical attention.
This prompted over 40 white farmers and hundreds of farm workers to demonstrate against the local police’s inaction.
Officer Commanding Hurungwe district police Supt Murasashana Mabunda, a war veteran himself, became the centre of controversy when he refused to get the suspects arrested.
This prompted the white farmers to petition the then Home Affairs minister John Landa Nkomo (now late), then Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri, among others.
Karoi farmers’ chairperson Chris Shepard accused Mabunda of being a stumbling block to all efforts aimed at promoting dialogue between the warring parties — the white farmers and the war veterans.
The meeting was held at a hotel in the farming town and I was writing for local publication then.
I sneaked into the closed door meeting with the help of some junior police officers.
It was tense and Nkomo refused to see a video of how Roper was attacked and battled for life.
Roper was attacked while transplanting tobacco on his 1 500 hectare at Peverill Farm.
As the meeting progressed, Shepard narrated how some junior officers had told them how Mabunda was barking instructions that the “invaders” should not be arrested.
The late Chigudu, then Home Affairs permanent secretary, chaired the meeting with professionalism, taking submissions from both sides without fear or favour.
After Shepard’s presentation, that was chilly and heartbreaking, Chigudu asked Mabunda to give his side of the story.
After all salutations, Mabunda took over the floor to defend himself.
He was angry and everyone could tell how he wanted to impress his bosses Chigudu, Chihuri and Nkomo.
Ironically, Chigudu was Mabunda’s commander during the liberation struggle.
Mabunda, who presided over Hurungwe district covering areas like Tengwe farming area and Karoi North, said he was not a “pushover” in the fight for the land reform programme.
“I have worked tirelessly for this community and whites just want to undermine me because I am a war veteran. I am implementing the government policy.
“These whites cannot give me directives on who must be arrested. Personally, I am a war veteran and am proud about it. I am not a coward. We want our land. These whites can go wherever they want, but I cannot take instructions from them,” he said without remorse.
Mabunda was in a fit of rage and everyone noticed it.
After all, he was the top police officer and the buck stopped with him in the district.
His outrage did not go down well with Chigudu, who stopped him from making a barrage of attacks on the farmers.
Chigudu brought Mabunda to order.
“Mabunda, shut up. You can’t brag about that injustice. We are dealing about everyone here and it is better for you to say sorry. Take your seat,” Chigudu lashed.
Like a kid without manners among visitors, Mabunda saluted and sat down.
Chigudu used his discipline stick with a commanding voice that left everyone at ease.
Mabunda was tamed in a few seconds.
Literally, he was cut to size by Chigudu, who took no prisoners.
The late Chigudu fought for justice and wanted it to remain so.
As the meeting was progressing, my bosses at my then media stable kept phoning at the hotel reception trying to figure out my safety.
After the meeting, I approached Minister Nkomo and introduced myself.
Nkomo was friendly and asked me how I was invited into the meeting.
He had no hard feelings at all.
He instructed Chigudu to see me off.
An aide was told to drop me off in the central business district.
With such “cover up”, I was protected from any security agencies through Nkomo and Chigudu.
Both had fatherly love to me professionally during tension filled years as an independent journalist.
After two weeks, Mabunda was transferred to Police General Headquarters in Harare.
That was the late Chigudu for you, who believed that liberation war veterans went to war for everyone and wanted justice, rule of law equality and peace.
Go well Mudhara Chigudu.
