Thread by @malaikadiva

Can we talk abt how legendary Lookout Khalisabantu Masuku was.

On his deathbed - he had one request, a watermelon. What followed was a nationwide search (it was out of season) Joshua Nkomo, Tshinga Dube, Vote Moyo, Dumiso & Zodwa Dabengwa looking for one. #Zapuhistory

The winners were Zodwa Dabengwa & Tshinga Dube.. Zodwa had one flown in from Bulawayo & Tshinga got one at Meikles hotel. He got his wish.. Legend!

He commanded the Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) the military wing of Zapu after the the death of Alfred Nikitha Mangena in 1978 up to 1980. In 1980 to 1982 he served as the Deputy Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army.

From 1982 to 1986, he was detained with Dumiso Dabengwa under emergency powers by ZanuPF over trumped up charges of plotting to overthrow the government of Mugabe.

The Supreme Court found Masuku and Dabengwa not guilty but they were nonetheless detained for 4 years

Here is the letter that they wrote to Mugabe outlining:
-the unfair treatment of Zipra cadres, -the erasure of their involvement in the liberation struggle through only ZANLA & Chimurenga songs only being played & the “Pasi ne Zipra” sloganeering .
-non-merit based promotions

At his funeral, Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo delivered what is arguably his most powerful speech. ZanuPF denied him heroe status

“..they can’t take away his status as a hero. You don’t give a man the status of a hero.

It is his.

Yes, he can be forgotten temporarily by the State.

But the young people who do research will one day unveil what Lookout has done.” - Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo

#Zapuhistory