Statue of Zimbabwe's Late VP Nkomo to Be Dismounted Following Family Protests
Nkomo's daughter argues the portrait is not a true reflection of her father, affectionately known as Father Zimbabwe
Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi told residents in the city of Bulawayo Wednesday that the statue would be "dismantled with immediate effect." The statue of Zimbabwe's late Vice President Joshua Nkomo, unveiled in the city of Bulawayo on Wednesday is set to be pulled down shortly following objections by his family. Mounted secretly by the inclusive government last month, the statue was officially unveiled by Home Affairs Co-Minister Kembo Mohadi who announced during a brief ceremony that it will soon be removed. The family of the former PF ZAPU leader, claims it was not consulted in the curving and mounting of the controversial statue. Nkomo's daughter, Thandiwe Nkomo-Ebrahim argues the portrait is not a true reflection of her father, affectionately known as Father Zimbabwe. Government says it is dismounting the statue to place it in a museum. But Nkomo-Ebrahim said her family wants it erected at Bulawayo's Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport, named after her father. Unveiling the statue, Mohadi told residents in Bulawayo that the statue was being "dismantled with immediate effect." Dumisani Nkomo of Habbakuk Trust, said all stakeholders should resolve the desputed statue in an amicable way. Bulawayo mayor Patrick Thaba Moyo told VOA Studio 7 reporter Brenda Moyo that it was wrong for government not to consult the Nkomo family before curving and mounting the statue. Another statue of the late liberation hero was set to be erected in Harare at the Karigamombe Centre, but the plan was shelved after protests from the family and owners of the building. To examine this controversy VOA Studio 7 reporter Patience Rusere turned to political analyst Qhubani Moyo and Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association co-ordinator Roderick Fayayo. Moyo said the late Nkomo deserved a better-looking statue, given his stature as “Father Zimbabwe.’’