Moffat Mungazi
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
THE remains of 51 liberation war heroes, brutally killed by Rhodesian Forces on Ruwombwe Mountain in Makoni West Constituency in September 1979, have been exhumed, and are set to receive dignified reburials.
A team led by the Manicaland Identification, Verification, Exhumation, and Reburial of Fallen Heroes Trust, successfully identified the scattered remains, paving the way for a long-overdue tribute to the fallen comrades.
The Trust’s chairman, Cde Gift Kagweda, said most of the departed heroes will be buried at a shrine currently under construction, while some families have requested to rebury their relatives at their home areas.
He expressed gratitude to Government and political leadership in Makoni District for facilitating a smooth process.
“We have concluded the exhumation of fallen heroes at Ruwombwe in Makoni District, recovering 51 fallen comrades from the mountain and surrounding areas. Our target is to accord these heroes dignified reburials at a shrine on Ruwombwe Mountain by the end of June 2025.
“Clearing of the shrine is progressing, followed by grave preparation. Relatives of the identified comrades were notified, with some opting for reburial at the shrine and others preferring home reburials. We are likely to respect the families’ wishes. The process was successful, thanks to the support from Makoni District’s political leadership. Headwoman Mupambawahle led the programme, ensuring that traditional rituals were observed.
“In Makoni, we will also conduct further exhumations at Muzerengwi under Headman Bvekerwa in Makoni West as well as in Headlands and Chiendambuya in Makoni North. We will proceed to Buhera, Nyanga, Mutare, and Chipinge districts for additional exhumations and reburials,” said Cde Kagweda.
Acting Headwoman, Ms Leah Mupambawahle welcomed the proper reburial of the fallen heroes, citing traditional values that emphasise orderly burial in a cultural manner.
“My community is relieved that these brave comrades will finally rest in peace. They fought for a just cause, liberating their motherland from colonialism, though they did not live to see the independence. We will remember them forever.
“In our tradition, remains should not be left on the surface or in shallow graves, as this may bring bad omens to the area. We are grateful to Government and war veterans for this exercise. We requested that the comrades be reburied properly on the mountain, creating a shrine. The Battle of Ruwombwe will forever be etched in our minds,” said Headwoman Mupambawashe.
Online Reporter