Enos Nkala
Encyclopedia
Enos Nkala is one of the founders of the Zimbabwe African National Union
. During the war, he served on the ZANU high command, or Dare reChimurenga. He was detained by the Rhodesian government at Gonakudzingwa.
Following independence in 1980, he served as the Minister of Finance until 1983 when the portfolio was consolidated into Finance, Economic Planning and Development and handed over to senior minister Dr. Bernard Thomas Gibson Chidzero
. Nkala was instead moved sideways to being Minister of National Supplies until 1985, Home Affairs and Defence after the 1985 election. As Defence Minister he was involved in the notorious Gukurahundi
massacre of Ndebele people. He denies this.
He has stated he regrets his involvement in the Gukurahundi. He says that if he had the chance he would never do it again. Not only does he describe his involvement as "eternal hell," but publicly blamed Robert Mugabe
for having ordered it. At the Imbovane YaMhlabezulu meeting held in Bulawayo
on 26 February 1998, Nkala, who was one of the guest speakers alongside Joseph Msika
(National Chairman of ZANU-PF), repeatedly denied any involvement and responsibility in the Gukurahundi genocide.
While serving as Zimbabwe's Home Affairs Minister Nkala rejected allegations by Amnesty International
, the London-based human rights organization, who had reported beatings, electric shocks and other torture at Government detention camps after the general election in Zimbabwe in July 2006.
Nkala claims to have written a book chronicling all that has happened in ZANU PF since its formation, including the Gukurahundi
Massacres and the assassinations of several high profile politicians using car accidents. He blames the death of liberation war heroes Josiah Tongogara
and Herbert Chitepo
and others on Robert Mugabe
. He is alleged to have had an affair with Sally Mugabe.
Harare. The vehicles were subsequently sold at a huge profit.
, Nkala urged his "colleagues to let President Mugabe retire with dignity".
Zimbabwe African National Union
The Zimbabwe African National Union was a militant organization that fought against the standing government in Rhodesia, formed as a split from the Zimbabwe African People's Union...
. During the war, he served on the ZANU high command, or Dare reChimurenga. He was detained by the Rhodesian government at Gonakudzingwa.
Following independence in 1980, he served as the Minister of Finance until 1983 when the portfolio was consolidated into Finance, Economic Planning and Development and handed over to senior minister Dr. Bernard Thomas Gibson Chidzero
Bernard Chidzero
Bernard Thomas Gibson Chidzero was a Zimbabwean economist, politician, and writer. He served as the independent Zimbabwe's second finance minister.-Early life and education:...
. Nkala was instead moved sideways to being Minister of National Supplies until 1985, Home Affairs and Defence after the 1985 election. As Defence Minister he was involved in the notorious Gukurahundi
Gukurahundi
The Gukurahundi refers to the suppression by Zimbabwe's 5th Brigade in the predominantly Ndebele regions of Zimbabwe most of whom were supporters of Joshua Nkomo. A few hundred disgruntled former ZIPRA combatants waged armed banditry against the civilians in Matabeleland, and destroyed government...
massacre of Ndebele people. He denies this.
He has stated he regrets his involvement in the Gukurahundi. He says that if he had the chance he would never do it again. Not only does he describe his involvement as "eternal hell," but publicly blamed Robert Mugabe
Robert Mugabe
Robert Gabriel Mugabe is the President of Zimbabwe. As one of the leaders of the liberation movement against white-minority rule, he was elected into power in 1980...
for having ordered it. At the Imbovane YaMhlabezulu meeting held in Bulawayo
Bulawayo
Bulawayo is the second largest city in Zimbabwe after the capital Harare, with an estimated population in 2010 of 2,000,000. It is located in Matabeleland, 439 km southwest of Harare, and is now treated as a separate provincial area from Matabeleland...
on 26 February 1998, Nkala, who was one of the guest speakers alongside Joseph Msika
Joseph Msika
Joseph Wilfred Msika was a Zimbabwean politician who served as Vice President of Zimbabwe from 1999 to 2009.-Early life:...
(National Chairman of ZANU-PF), repeatedly denied any involvement and responsibility in the Gukurahundi genocide.
While serving as Zimbabwe's Home Affairs Minister Nkala rejected allegations by Amnesty International
Amnesty International
Amnesty International is an international non-governmental organisation whose stated mission is "to conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights, and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated."Following a publication of Peter Benenson's...
, the London-based human rights organization, who had reported beatings, electric shocks and other torture at Government detention camps after the general election in Zimbabwe in July 2006.
Nkala claims to have written a book chronicling all that has happened in ZANU PF since its formation, including the Gukurahundi
Gukurahundi
The Gukurahundi refers to the suppression by Zimbabwe's 5th Brigade in the predominantly Ndebele regions of Zimbabwe most of whom were supporters of Joshua Nkomo. A few hundred disgruntled former ZIPRA combatants waged armed banditry against the civilians in Matabeleland, and destroyed government...
Massacres and the assassinations of several high profile politicians using car accidents. He blames the death of liberation war heroes Josiah Tongogara
Josiah Tongogara
Josiah Magama Tongogara was a commander of the ZANLA guerrilla army in Rhodesia. He attended the Lancaster House conference that led to Zimbabwe's independence and the end of white minority rule...
and Herbert Chitepo
Herbert Chitepo
Herbert Wiltshire Chitepo led the Zimbabwe African National Union until he was assassinated on March 1975. Although his murderer remains unidentified, the Rhodesian author Peter Stiff says that a former British SAS soldier, Hugh Hind was responsible.Chitepo became the first black citizen of...
and others on Robert Mugabe
Robert Mugabe
Robert Gabriel Mugabe is the President of Zimbabwe. As one of the leaders of the liberation movement against white-minority rule, he was elected into power in 1980...
. He is alleged to have had an affair with Sally Mugabe.
Willowgate
While a minister in the Zanu-PF government, Nkala became embroiled in the 'Willowgate' scandal, concerning the allocation of new motor vehicles to government officials, especially ministers, by Willowvale Motors in WillowvaleWillowvale
Willowvale is the name of an industrial suburb in the South West of Harare, Zimbabwe....
Harare. The vehicles were subsequently sold at a huge profit.
2008 election
On April 21, 2008, following the March 2008 presidential electionZimbabwean presidential election, 2008
The Republic of Zimbabwe held a presidential election along with a parliamentary election on 29 March 2008. The three major candidates were incumbent President Robert Mugabe of the Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front , Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change , and...
, Nkala urged his "colleagues to let President Mugabe retire with dignity".