Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
A major facelift at the Chinhoyi Provincial Heroes Acre by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces’ Hunyani Farm and partners is progressing well, with the first phase expected to be completed within 21 days.
The first phase includes construction of ablution facilities, a guard room, installation of security fence and sprucing of the entire shrine.
All the buildings, ablution facilities for the VIP, are now at roof level.
Speaking this morning during his visit to assess progress, ZDF Hunyani vice board chairman, Air Vice Marshal (Rtd) Dennis Jaricha, said he was pleased with the work.
“Other provinces should emulate what Mashonaland West has initiated in honour of the late heroes and heroines,” he said.
Lieutenant Colonel Tichaona Masanganise said the facelift being conducted in three phases was aimed at honouring the freedom fighters and safeguarding the legacy of the liberation struggle.
“We will be done with the first phase by Tuesday next week. We are left with a few works on the buildings before we remove the existing dilapidated precast wall structure to install a new perimeter fence,” he said
The Chinhoyi Provincial Heroes Acre is within the environs of the site of the famous 1966 seven heroes battle.
The Chinhoyi Battle, which occurred on April 28, 1966, close to the shrine, involved seven Zimbabwean freedom fighters who engaged in a fierce gun battle against the Rhodesian forces.
The seven heroes who died in the battle are: Christopher Chatambudza, Simon Chingozha, Godwin Dube (also known as Godfrey Manyerenyere), Chubby Sawana, Arthur Maramba, David Guzuzu, and Swazini Ndlovu (also known as Godfrey Dube).
