Zimbabwe : Liberation Hero Tekere Passes On

By Staff Writer

HARARE---Edgar Tekere, one of Zimbabwe’s luminary of  liberation struggle and founder of the ruling Zanu party in the fight for independence, died Tuesday. He is credited for  stopping his former ally President Robert Mugabe from establishing a one party state.

Tekere, 74, a hero of the 1970s liberation war, was widely regarded as a key leader in the military and civil struggle against minority white rule and for denouncing corruption after independence.

He was secretary-general of Zanu PF at the time of Zimbabwe's independence in 1980. He later became Minister of Labour and Man-Power Planning in Zimbabwe.

Zanu PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo described Mr Tekere as a dedicated liberator.

Ten years after independence, Tekere had been expelled from Zanu PF and ran against and lost heavily to Mugabe in presidential elections.

Since then, and at every opportunity, Tekere claimed Mugabe had deviated from the aims of the liberation struggle. He accused his former colleagues in Zanu PF of corruption, of betraying democracy, and of mismanaging the economy.

Two years ago he was guest of honour at a rally for the Movement for Democratic Change party, now in an uncomfortable inclusive government with Zanu PF.

Tekere had been ill for several years, and died as a poor man in a hospital in his home town, Mutare, in eastern Zimbabwe.