Heroes are not only those who took part in the liberation struggle, but are also selfless individuals who dedicate and risk their lives to develop the undeveloped areas of their nations.

I am also sure that, some will vehemently disagree with me, but I plead with my fellow countrymen to take a closer look into what this man has done for us - the underdogs since independence only for four years. Let's also take
stock of what others have done for us for the 20 years that they have been in government.

I am one person who believes that if you cannot beat them, join them and bring development to your people from within. Sooner Tsholotsho was going to be another Zvimba. This is what has riled Zanu PF.

I am writing not only as a friend to Prof Moyo, but as a man who suffered under the Zanu PF conspiracy against people of Matabeleland including the unleashing of the 5 Brigade to Tsholotsho, Nkayi, Gwanda and many other places in the greater Matabeleland.

True democracy means people should be allowed to chose their own leaders -- the opposite is dictatorship. And there is contradiction between the principle of democracy and the application of dictatorial power by few individuals who purport to be representing the masses.

In any democratic society, decision-makers are leaders elected by the people themselves. A democratically elected government is a system of government based on the principle of free and fair majority decision-making.

What Africa and Zimbabwe should be on the lookout for is the rhetoric by those who participated in the liberation struggle and are now using their heroism to suppress the masses.

Taking part in the liberation of the country was an important thing for black
Zimbabweans and we respect that. But some of our liberation war heroes seem to have lost the very principles which drove them into the liberation movement.

Zimbabwe is lacking legitimate democracy. In the last few months Zimbabwe has shown signs of democratic deficit when it dictated to people of Tsholotsho who should represent them in parliament. Many would agree with me when I assert that Zimbabwe is one nation that is sliding into democratic deficit, if it ever it was once one.

How can a few unelected individuals decide who should represent people in parliament? Is this democracy? If party rules collide with democratic principles, why not change them rather than to subject people to Nazi type of leadership?

I have always wondered why the media in Zimbabwe seems to have accepted that Solomon Mujuru is a kingmaker. Making whose king? To that end, I can safely declare that Prof Jonathan Moyo is a "true hero".

He has squared up with one of the most dangerous and feared political systems ever to emerge from Africa. The irrepressive Prof Moyo has emerged as an incorruptible symbol of social justice and black empowerment.

For the first time since Independence, the people of Matabeleland tested what it means to be under their black government. At the same time, Prof Moyo is heroically bursting into the national consciousness, a thing most feared by many politicians who have subjected the nation to sloganeering with empty stomachs.

He has become the uncompromising teller of the unpleasant truth. He is definitely a fact of life in the Zimbabwe's political corridors. His detractors are gripped by a feeling of insecurity. They fear of being exposed for using people of Zimbabwe to enrich themselves for the last 25 years under false principles of democracy while looting and plundering the nation's wealth.

On the other hand, the prayers of millions of suffering Zimbabweans have finally been answered. They were answered in the form of Prof Moyo, a selfless and humble academic who abandoned his glittering career to save his people.

Many people, including those who misunderstood him at first, now view him as a staunch advocate of self-reliance and equal opportunities across tribes and political creed.

Those who for a long time had been purporting to represent people of
Matabeleland yet bent on enriching themselves and their families are now panicking and feel the advent of Prof Moyo into the political scene would throw away their bread.

They have hatched a plan to oust Prof Moyo from the party and government, much to the detriment of development in Matabeleland. We know that whenever, our people question some scandalous activities by some unpopular leaders, we are reminded about what happened during the liberation struggle. We are bombarded with bush-life-rhetoric.

The problem with our politics is that people who purport to be representing us keep on needlessly reminding us about their roles in the liberation struggle. We know some have exaggerated their roles in the liberation struggle. We know who did what. While we appreciate the execution of the liberation struggle we are tired of people who keep on telling us about what we know in order to steal money and enrich themselves missionary style.

They should remember that they are talking about a struggle, which ended 25 years ago.
Admore Tshuma is a friend of the former minister and also former Chief Reporter at the Chronicle
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