ZAPU National Chairperson, John Zolani Dlamini, has expressed outrage over Zanu PF’s alleged interference in the funeral of Seven Dube, a revered ZPRA cadre.
Dube, who became the face of the armed wing as “Isotsha eliphethe umntwana” (the soldier cradling the baby) passed away on December 22, 2024, at his home in Ezimnyama, Osabeni Ward 2, Mangwe District, Matabeleland South, following a long illness.
His funeral, marred by political interference, has sparked controversy, with ZAPU accusing Zanu PF of exploiting the burial for political gain.
“We are from the funeral of our ZPRA icon, Comrade Seven Dube, who died sometime last week after a long illness,” Dlamini told CITE after Dube’s burial on December 31, 2024.
“Dube was very popular, symbolising our party during the 1980 elections. He was not working and lived as a peasant farmer in rural areas. When he was sick, he received no assistance from the government, surviving on a meager allowance.”
Dlamini said that Dube contributed to the purchase of ZPRA properties confiscated by Zanu PF, leaving veterans like him destitute.
“Even his medical needs were a struggle to meet,” he added.
The ZAPU national chair accused Zanu PF of ignoring Dube during his lifetime but exploiting his death for political mileage.
“Our ZAPU president, Sibangilizwe Nkomo, often visited Dube at his rural home. Zanu PF did nothing for him while he was alive but suddenly decided he would be declared a liberation hero upon his death,” Dlamini said.
Dlamini added that Zanu PF’s meddling was also seen on December 30, 2024, where Dube’s body was transported from Doves funeral parlour in Bulawayo to his home.
During the burial, Dlamini said ZAPU members were sidelined from the burial programme, which was “dominated by Zanu PF officials, including War Veterans’ Chairperson Cephas Ncube.”
“Zanu wanted to be in control of everything and they didn’t want anyone, they wanted to handle everything by themselves without ZAPU people and without ZPRA! We were all really surprised,” Dlamini said.
When ZAPU displayed a banner honouring Dube’s legacy, they were instructed to remove it, with Dlamini describing how they were denied the opportunity to speak.
“The banner, showing his iconic image, drew attention, which Zanu PF saw as a threat. We were told in no uncertain terms that we must fold the banner,” he recounted, adding he also failed to read a speech that had been compiled by their ZAPU president.
“The programme was drafted by the Zanu officials, who said, ‘no, this is not a rally. We are at a funeral, which is a state assisted’ and were not going to entertain anyone outside the state and relatives but the relatives wanted us.”
Dlamini also noted the heavy presence of security personnel, including police, army, and intelligence officers, which he interpreted as an attempt to suppress ZAPU’s participation.
“The heavy security, including police, army, and CIO was to make sure ZAPU had no influence over proceedings,” he claimed.
Dlamini also criticised Zanu PF’s manipulation of Dube’s family.
“The family wanted us involved, but couldn’t do anything and I don’t blame them. My worry is this gentleman (Dube) was a ZPRA cadre under ZAPU so what did they want us to write on our banner? Did they want us to write ZANLA and Zanu? Our banner had a ZPRA and ZAPU icon, which is Dube’s true story. We did not say vote for ZAPU,” he said.
The ZAPU national chair also lamented the denial of ZAPU’s funeral traditions, including draping Dube’s coffin with the ZAPU flag.
“They refused, saying only the national flag could be used. This was insulting to Dube’s legacy as a ZPRA icon,” Dlamini said.
Dlamini accused Zanu PF of a pattern of interference in ZAPU-related funerals, noting his grievances extend beyond Dube’s funeral but to a pattern of interference in funerals of ZAPU members.
He perceived these actions as signs of desperation from a party losing its popularity.
“Zanu is now campaigning to the dead, they have failed to influence people who are alive and are moving onto dead people,” he asserted.
Dlamini also criticised the politicisation of funerals, urging Zanu PF to respect cultural customs and allow families to mourn without political intrusion.
He pointed to Zanu PF’s attempts to exhume former President Robert Mugabe’s remains as another example of their exploitation of the dead.
“Zanu PF is now campaigning among the deceased. They’ve created countless groups for ‘ED,’ and now it seems we’ll have ‘corpses for ED.’ This is embarrassing,” he said.
Despite the interference, Dlamini said ZAPU would not waver in preserving its legacy.
“We told Zanu PF that we leave Seven Dube crying in his grave because he was buried by people who didn’t know or care for him. We know Dube’s story, and we will continue to honour him and other ZPRA cadres,” he said.
Dube’s burial was attended by ZAPU leaders, including National Organiser Ndodana Moyo, Matabeleland South Secretary Andrew Tshuma and party representatives from Matabeleland South, Matabeleland North and Bulawayo such as Happy Ncube, Thomas Mlazie and Siphiwe Bafana respectively.
Dlamini called on Zanu PF to respect funerals and allow families to mourn according to their customs.
“Zanu PF must stop hijacking funerals. Mourning families need space, not political interference,” he said.
