By Staff Reporter
Mutasa Central legislator Trevor Saruwaka has told Parliament that the current government appears to be punishing Canaan Banana’s children for the sins allegedly committed by their father.
Banana, who is the first President of independent Zimbabwe was found guilty of 11 counts of sodomy and sexually assaulting men most of whom were on his Presidential staff.
Speaking in the National Assembly, Honourable Saruwaka said it about three years now since Banana’s children applied for land but nothing has happened.
He said no one was pushing the papers owing to the fact that their father’s reputation was soiled following his incarceration on charges of sodomy.
“We have the former first President of this country; Canaan Banana – his family applied for land and it is over three years now.
“No-one is pushing those papers. We are concerned that this erstwhile President of this country still does not have land. He is a renowned fighter for this country and it is known.
“Never mind whatever happened to him but no one can take away his contribution to this country,” he said.
This is not the first time that the Banana family appears to be sidelined by the current government. Just last month Proportional Representation legislator had to raise concern in Parliament on why Banana’s widow was not being included in the benefits that accrue to former first ladies.
Banana is credited for playing a positive role in ending the ethnic violence (Gukurahundi) in Matabeleland but his role was overshadowed by his sodomy case.
About 20 000 people of Ndebele origin were allegedly murdered by the 5th Brigade that was deployed in the region, as well as the Midlands under the pretext of flashing out dissidents.
The Zanu PF led government is on record saying it was a moment of madness but has refused to apologise privately and publicly.
