Is Dabengwa walking in the footsteps of Joshua Nkomo?

Above revived Zapu leader Dumiso Dabengwa addressing a conference recently putting a hat similar to the one Dr Nkomo used to wear. One wonders if Dumiso Dabengwa is literally walking in Mdala's footsteps. The former Zipra intelligence supremo recently castigated the ZANU PF politburo for trying to go against the wishes of the people when it comes to the devolution of power in provinces. He left Zanu Pf about three years ago to after serving in that government in many ministerial positions and party ranks. The man who was once referred to as the black Russian by the Rhodesian government was arguable the most feared  military leader in the 70s leading to liberation of the country in 1980. After Independence he was arrested by the Robert Mugabe government and detained in prison after a catch of arms where allegedly discovered in a Zapu owned farm. He and the late Commander Lookout Masuku where were tortured severely in prison. As a result Masuku became very ill and eventually died not too long after his release in 1986.

In December 22 1987 the infamous Unity Accord was signed, merging the Joshua Nkomo lead PF ZAPU with ZANU PF and the later retained the the name. Dabengwa himself was not willing to join forces with ZAnu Pf, but did so in respect of his leader and commander in Chief Joshua Nkomo. Its then that he was given many roles over time  in the Mugabe controlled unity government. After faithfully serving the ruling party Dr Dabengwa soon decided to follow the wishes of his people in Matabeleland.   Many had told him that he was putting on the wrong jacket meaning the wrong party. The message was finally received when he lost elections in his own constituency in Nkulumane. It did not take long for people to see that the Unity accord was not fairly implemented. This left may former Zapu leaders in the cold. When Dr Joshua Nkomo died in July 1999 it was clear that unity accord was not going to last long.

1n 2009 him and his late sister inlaw Thenjiwe Lesabe left the ruling party to revive PF ZAPU. Lesabe died not too long after that. Zapu has significantly built its structures across the country but its not known how powerful it could be comes the election time. Had he remained in ZANU PF, Dabengwa could have been the second Vice President by now. This position is currently being enjoyed by John landa Nkomo also a former Zapu member, after  the death of Comrade Msika. Nkomo is said to be President Mugabe's blood cousin.