"VAN" (Shingirai Vambe - Bulawayo, Zimbabwe) :: "The Black Russian" Dumiso Dabengwa (79) was laid to rest in his rural home, Ntabazinduna, Bulawayo, today June 1 2019, Newsday can report.

Known for his liberation war struggle contribution against colonialism, since his youthful days, Dabengwa was given a heroes status by government though his family refused for him to be buried at the national shrine, saying that was his decision to be laid to rest at his rural home.

Members of his party, ZAPU, and ZIPRA were there present giving a befitting send off to their leader while Zanu Pf members including the presidium decided to abscond Dumiso's burial.

A lot was said about Dabengwa since the day he gave his last breath to the hour he was laid to rest and numbers seen gathered in Ntabazinduna, said it all, about the character and stature that D.D had built within the social and political spheres.

Minister of state for Matebeleland Province, deputy Minister of Defence Cde Victor Matemadanda, Chris & Monica Mutsvangwa, Simon Khaya Moyo and the speaker of Parliament ,Jacob Mudenda, made it to the burial but there were not given any respect whatsoever because of the relationship between Dabengwa and Zanu Pf.

Besides being part of the liberation struggle, it imaged during the proceedings in Ntabazinduna that there was and is bad blood between the ndebele people, those who went to war in the 60s and 70s and the government.

The histroy of Gukurahundi seem to be hovering over the ndebele people, each time those given the opportunity to speak recognise, Zanu pf and government members, the masses jeered and booed those present, including the speaker of Parliament, Hon Jacob Mudenda and the president of the chiefs council, Chief Fortune Charumbira who was never given the opportunity to speak at the funeral.

Newsday took an opportunity to interview an independent member of Parliament for Norton, Hon Themba Mliswa who questioned the efforts of the ruling party Zanu Pf.

"I see we have a government that is not willing to walk the talk in terms of engaments and talks between parties, Parliament has given its members, accommodation and fuel to attend to D.D's funeral but all Zanu pf members didnt attend, where are the fruits of the 1987 unit accord? Chamisa is here present why is Emmerson Mnangagwa absent? In my independent opinion, i feel as a nation we are not going anywhere" Said Themba Mliswa.

Former member of parliament for Mabvuku Constituency, now Zimbabwe Ambassador to Senegal, James Maridadi, said the jeering and booing that was going on to members of government and Zanu Pf during the proceedings is a sign of lack of tolerance and polical imaturity.

"This is a national event everyone is expected to come and pay his or her last respect, we are one people regardless of our differences, we should be of one common goal of becoming a united Zimbabwe" said Maridadi.

Members of the diplomatic community, From South Africa, Namibia and Botswana were give opportunities to speak on behalf of their countries and they all spoke highly of CDE Dumiso Dabengwa.

Former Vice president, Joice Mujuru said all that D.D did before, during and after liberation, was for the good of the nation, "he was my husband's friend and their desire was only one to see a united Zimbabwe, flowing with milk and honey".

Thousands witnessed Dabengwa's burial and a 21 gun salute was done in respect of the galant son, as his casket started going down and tears of Zapu CDE started to flow while the police band played their popular song, "Rwendo Rwemasoja".

Dabengwa's political career, known as an intelligent personal, suffered in the hands of the current government of the old, arrested 5 years in Chikurubi maximum prison, charged with treason as they always do, said MDC spokesperson Mr Jacob Mafume.

"D.D died a free man, he liberated his mind and saw that, Chamisa and the MDC party are the alternative and have the capacity to drive the nation forward, he endorsed Chamisa, you have seen it for yourself the bad blood between Mnangagwa and the people of Zimbabwe" he added.