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Tribute to Makuwaza and Efurida Pfebve
By Elliot
Pfebve
EFURIDA Pfebve,
sister, fighter for justice, former chairperson of MDC Mt. Darwin North
is no more.
She passed away on September 24, after being taken ill a day before she met her death. She became another victim of a failed health system in Zimbabwe among others.
This comes less than four weeks after Remus Makuwaza, a long time friend, MDC director of elections died without realising his dream of a free Zimbabwe. Losing freedom is one thing, losing fighters of that freedom makes the whole struggle a surmountable task.
Such has become a common scenario in Zimbabwe today; one after the other, Zimbabweans have succumbed to a crumbling health system. Losing two comrades in arms in less than four weeks have left me devastated and grief stricken.
Against all these odds, ladies and gentlemen, comrades and friends the struggle must continue unabated. With conviction and guidance by the Almighty, victory is certain.
I worked with Makuwaza from the formation of MDC, in structure building and mobilisation. We were all members of National Executive, we shared common problems in the 2000 Parliamentary Elections. Makuwaza was contesting against Moven Mahachi in Makoni West and I was against Border Gezi in Bindura. These men were regarded as the most dangerous in Zanu PF hence we had a common difficult task. Remus and I were soon nicknamed Mahachi and Gezi respectively. We both escaped numerous attempts on our lives. By coincidence, yet not of our own making, both men died in car accidents after rigging the elections. They were victims of struggle within struggles in Zanu PF. Makuwaza my friend rest in peace.
Condolences for Efurida continue to pour in from three continents, from those whose work she touched to those who knew her well both in struggle and in personal capacity.
I remember receiving a phone call three days after the Presidential elections in March 2002 notifying me of 11 members of MDC who were arrested and in detention at Mukumbura Police Station in MT. Darwin. Knowing the area to be politically volatile, I took with me some youths and travelled to Mukumbura Police Station passing through a barrage of ambushes along the way from Zanu PF militia. I was shocked to see Efurida being the only woman in custody among the 11 MDC supporters. They were being held for an alleged attack on a war veteran. Although the other 10 supporters were not admitting taking part in the said crime, Efuida remained adamant that she acted in self defence against Zanu PF supporters who waylaid her and others for being MDC supporters.
For the first time I saw her courage and determination flowing through her veins refusing to compromise her liberty and prepared to go to jail for what she thought was her right of political association. Those who know MT Darwin area will agree with me that very few people had taken an open stance against Zanu PF there, yet there she was a symbol of a new Zimbabwe among jackals of Zanu PF patronage. Even after the murder of my brother Mathew, Efurida refused to move away from the area preferring instead to lead the women's wing from the grassroots against all odds. Efurida was present when my brother was murdered yet escaped only to meet her death last week.
She was determined to carve the future for all Zimbabweans even if it meant sacrificing her own life. She died a miserable woman knowing that the struggle she so committed herself to, has now moved from a political to a constitutional crisis with Robert Mugabe getting a firm hand of every system living and gone.
Efurida, sister and politician rest in peace.
Elliot Pfebve
is a political activist and former parliamentary candidate
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