The children of the late struggle hero and former vice-president Joshua Nkomo are bitter over what they perceive as the abuse of their father's name for political purposes ahead of the 14th anniversary of his death.
Nkomo's two surviving children, Sibangilizwe and Thandiwe, are accusing Zanu-PF of abusing his name for electioneering purposes.
Speaking to the Mail & Guardian, Sibangilizwe said his father's name should not be soiled by those "in search of power".
He was responding to questions about the involvement of the family in Zanu-PF's plans to recognise the anniversary of Nkomo's death.
Zanu-PF's provincial structure in Bulawayo has been organising activities to commemorate the death of Nkomo, affectionately known as Father Zimbabwe.
Zanu-PF chairperson in the area, Calistus Ndlovu, said the party would hold exhibitions, lectures and entertainment activities by cultural groups, events he said were not designed to score political points.
Commemorating Nkomo's life
He also said Zanu-PF has declared July 1 to 5 a special week to commemorate Nkomo's life. He died on July 1 1 999.
"We are not politicking. All is in honour of our late vice-president, a revered nationalist," said Ndlovu.
But Sibangilizwe said members of Nkomo's family have organised their own commemorations, which they will hold at Stanley Square, Makokoba, in Bulawayo.
Sibangilizwe also said he will "unilaterally declare July 1 as a holiday in honour of my father" – a move sources say has rattled Zanu-PF.
"I read in the papers that Zanu-PF is planning to roll out commemorations in July, but as we have entered the election season it will be unfortunate for them (Zanu-PF) to use my father's name, which, mind you, is a brand, to gain votes," he said.
Sibangilizwe said the party had not consulted his family when organising the activities, adding that that had become the norm since Nkomo died.
Family worried
Thandiwe Nkomo-Ibrahim, Nkomo's only daughter, said the family was worried about the "careless" way her father's name has been handled.
She said while the family appreciated efforts by Zanu-PF to recognise the liberation fighter it was disturbing to note that several projects that bear his name have not been completed.
"It hurts us so much as a family to see such things happening. In fact, enquires on the projects are being ignored."
The Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport lies unfinished years after the project began, and a statue erected by the government had to be pulled down after the family complained it was too small.
Asked to respond to the complaints from the Nkomo family Ndlovu insisted there was no discord between Zanu-PF and the family.
"There is no clash. The party will assist where it is possible. We are looking forward to the anniversary."
The deaths of more than 20 000 people at the hands of the army in the 1980s forced Nkomo into a unity agreement with President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF, which led to the disbanding of Nkomo's party, the Zimbabwe African People's Union.