WASHINGTON —
The government says it has acquired enough material to re-erect the statue of the late Vice President Dr. Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo, which was pulled down in 2011 after his family complained it was too small and did not fully resemble the former PF-Zapu leader.
Human rights activists had also pointed out that the statue was designed by North Koreans, who trained the country’s Fifth Brigade unit, known for its role in the Gukurahundi massacres of the 1980s that reportedly claimed the lives of about 20,000 people, mostly in the Matabeleland and Midlands regions.
Newly elected mayor Martin Moyo confirmed the city’s offer of corner 8th Avenue and Main Street is still open for the statue, which is said to be already complete and kept at the Bulawayo History Museum.
Political analyst Dumisani Nyongolo Nkomo, a member of the late Dr. Nkomo’s family said "we have adopted a wait-and-see attitude as the project has failed to take off many times before".
In related news, ex-fighters in former PF Zapu’s military wing- ZIPRA - say they will meet Saturday to strategise on how to push the government to release properties seized at the height of the Gukurahundi massacres.
The properties reportedly include Castle Arms Motel and Nest Egg building, both in Bulawayo, Ascot Farm in Solusi, Wood Glen Farm in Nyamandlovu, and Hawton Farm in Gweru and more than 400 cattle.
Human rights activists had also pointed out that the statue was designed by North Koreans, who trained the country’s Fifth Brigade unit, known for its role in the Gukurahundi massacres of the 1980s that reportedly claimed the lives of about 20,000 people, mostly in the Matabeleland and Midlands regions.
Newly elected mayor Martin Moyo confirmed the city’s offer of corner 8th Avenue and Main Street is still open for the statue, which is said to be already complete and kept at the Bulawayo History Museum.
Political analyst Dumisani Nyongolo Nkomo, a member of the late Dr. Nkomo’s family said "we have adopted a wait-and-see attitude as the project has failed to take off many times before".
In related news, ex-fighters in former PF Zapu’s military wing- ZIPRA - say they will meet Saturday to strategise on how to push the government to release properties seized at the height of the Gukurahundi massacres.
The properties reportedly include Castle Arms Motel and Nest Egg building, both in Bulawayo, Ascot Farm in Solusi, Wood Glen Farm in Nyamandlovu, and Hawton Farm in Gweru and more than 400 cattle.