Zanu PF snubs Mahoka burial
Independent Norton Member of Parliament Temba Mliswa has decried the absence of Mashonaland West Zanu PF bigwigs at the burial of Sarah Mahoka saying the snub was shameful and lacked Ubuntu.
Mliswa told Parliamentarians during Tuesday’s National Assembly session that he had called the Zanu PF top brass to vent out his displeasure.
Mahoka died in car accident on Thursday and was buried on Monday in Karoi, Mashonaland West.
Among the notable mourners who attended her low-key burial was her political ally Grace Mugabe.
Grace has rarely been seen in public since her husband, the former President Robert Mugabe died in 2019.
“When one is no more, we cannot take the personal fights or differences to the grave. In Shona they say ‘wafa wanaka’ no matter how bad Temba was, when I am no more, ndanaka, we cannot again take whatever to the grave and continue to hold grudges,” Mliswa said.
“Mr. Speaker Sir, I am really pained that most women were not there, even the Members of Parliament from Hurungwe and Mashonaland West, the Minister of State and Provincial Chairperson of ZANU PF. I personally called her to say you are a woman these children have no mother, tomorrow it is you – why can we not all be together in this time?”
“It is precedence and a culture that I do not know, I cannot hate somebody to the point that I am not there when they die to just pay my final respects. It is really hurtful because she worked hard and when you work hard, people must recognize your work at the end of the day, notwithstanding the differences.”
“Just a recap of the events before her death, she was driving back to Harare with her children and son-in-law, she then decided to jump into her husband’s car that was ahead and this was 10 km before she got into an accident. She then jumped into her husband’s car and the son-in-law and the daughter were 10 minutes behind and as they were driving, the next thing they saw a car underneath a truck and that was the car that she jumped into. Those were the circumstances. All I am saying and I conclude by saying, I think she wanted to say a few things to her husband but God has his ways of doing things.”
Meanwhile, Mliswa also felt that the August House was at fault for not honouring the Zanu PF former Member of Parliament for Hurungwe East, Sarah Mahoka.
Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda replied “as to having a delegation, you will have to change your Standing Rules and Orders because as things stand, we do recognise sitting Members of Parliament, that is why Parliament goes out of its way to financially assist and also assist in terms of logistics. So the question of delegation, unfortunately, may not take place.”
Zanu PF snubs Mahoka burial
