Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza, Sunday News Reporter
A liberation struggle icon, Cde Elias Sikholiwe Njani Moyo, who was sentenced to life imprisonment by the brutal Rhodesian regime in 1976 for allegedly helping “terrorists” has died.
He was 100 years old.
Cde Moyo died yesterday morning at Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo after a long illness. He is survived by his wife, several children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Family spokesperson and great-grandson, Mr Mkhululi Chimoio, paid tribute to Cde Moyo’s enduring legacy.
“Cde Elias Sikholiwe Njani Moyo, liberation struggle war icon and businessman, passed away on 26 April 2025 at Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo. He was 100 years old,” he said.
Mr Chimoio said Cde Moyo dedicated his life selflessly to the liberation of Zimbabwe and the empowerment of its people.
“His unwavering commitment to the struggle for freedom resulted in his imprisonment for life by the Smith regime, a sacrifice emblematic of his deep love for the nation. His contributions remain a proud part of Zimbabwe’s history,” he said.
Mr Chimoio said his great-grandfather was a local businessman in Mawabeni, Umzingwane District in Matabeleland South Province, who was passionate about uplifting the lives of local community members.
Beyond his political contributions, Cde Moyo was a prominent businessman in Mawabeni, passionate about uplifting his community.
“My great grandfather was a pillar of the business sector, playing a significant role in uplifting communities through economic empowerment and business development, with many families benefitting from his wisdom, leadership and foresight,” said Mr Chimoio.
At the time of his arrest in 1976, Cde Moyo was a branch treasurer for the Zimbabwe African People’s Union (Zapu).
He was accused of harbouring three freedom fighters who, according to Rhodesian media reports, later shot and killed a white storekeeper, Mr Leonard Ashly, near Mbalabala on 7 July 1976.
Rhodesian propaganda sought to vilify him, portraying him as reckless for “losing everything” by supporting liberation fighters.
In a story titled, published by the Rhodesian media, “This man lost all through helping the terrorists”.
Cde Moyo was accused of sacrificing his business, his $50-a-week job and even selling cattle to pay $700 for legal fees.
The article’s opening line starkly read: “Elias Njani Moyo, who is 50 years old, has recently lost everything he has striven for in life because he gave help to some terrorists.”
Such stories were part of a larger campaign aimed at intimidating black Zimbabweans from supporting the liberation struggle.
After independence in 1980, Cde Moyo was released by the new majority Government.
Many nationalists like Cde Moyo endured harsh prison conditions under the Rhodesian regime, which sought to entrench white minority rule at all costs.
Bongani Ndlovu