Tinotenda Hove– President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Monday presided over the burial of Luke Mushore, also known by his liberation war name Dick Joboringo, at the National Heroes Acre in Harare. Vice Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi also attended the state-led ceremony.

Mushore was declared a national hero by ZANU PF, but questions have quietly emerged over the clarity and verification of his liberation war record—fueling ongoing debate about the politicisation of hero status in Zimbabwe.

Born on 13 June 1949 in Mushore Village, Mashonaland Central, Mushore began his education at Chahwanda Primary before attending Bernard Mizeki College. Official narratives claim he was expelled from school in 1966 for participating in student protests—an event presented as the foundation of his political activism.

According to state records, Mushore allegedly joined the armed struggle in 1970, returning to Muzarabani under colonial pressure before marrying Mavis Mushore and linking up with early freedom fighters. He is said to have been deployed to Zambia in 1971, trained at Mgagao in Tanzania, and collaborated with ZANLA and FRELIMO to open guerrilla routes into Zimbabwe.

He reportedly rose to the rank of Detachment Commander, allegedly leading operations against Rhodesian forces until independence in 1980.

After independence, Mushore briefly served in the Zimbabwe Republic Police and later worked at the Ministry of Sport, before immersing himself in ZANU PF party work. He was elected MP for Muzarabani in 2005 and retained the seat in the 2008 elections.

While official accounts laud Mushore’s liberation credentials, some observers argue the narrative lacks independent verification and fits a pattern of ZANU PF using national hero status as a political reward. Critics have long accused the ruling party of selectively honoring individuals whose loyalty to the party outweighs their actual contribution to the liberation struggle.

As Zimbabwe continues to grapple with how it remembers its liberation history, Mushore’s elevation raises yet another question: is the ruling party preserving history—or rewriting it for political convenience?