Tinotenda Hove- Seven years after Robert Gabriel Mugabe’s death, a ZANU PF affiliate has led fresh tributes to the former president, casting him as the architect of Zimbabwe’s freedom and a fierce defender of African independence.

The ZANU PF Patriots issued a statement on Sunday to mark the anniversary of Mugabe’s passing on September 6, 2019, at the age of 95.

They framed the late leader as a central figure in the nation’s story, arguing that his influence still shapes debates around land, sovereignty and self-rule.

“Today, 6 September, ZANU PF PATRIOTS stands with the nation to honour Cde Robert Gabriel Mugabe, our founding father and liberation icon, who left us in 2019,” the group said.

The Patriots went beyond liberation history, crediting Mugabe with pushing an agenda of African empowerment, education, and resistance to foreign interference.

“Seven years later, we reflect on his fight for Zimbabwe’s liberation, his firm stance on African sovereignty, and his drive to uplift people through education and economic empowerment,” the statement continued.

They said Mugabe’s political journey cannot be separated from Zimbabwe’s independence struggle, and that his vision of a self-determining Zimbabwe remains unfinished business.

“His life is woven into the fabric of our independence struggle and the ongoing quest for a Zimbabwe that controls its own destiny,” the group added.

Mugabe led the country from 1980 until he stepped down in November 2017 after a military operation and internal party revolt forced his resignation.

His 37-year rule still divides opinion. Supporters credit him for dismantling colonial rule and championing black empowerment. Detractors blame his tenure for economic collapse, repression and international isolation.

Closing their tribute, ZANU PF Patriots urged Zimbabweans to keep Mugabe’s legacy alive.

“May the soul of Cde Robert Gabriel Mugabe rest in eternal peace. Lest We Forget,” the statement concluded.