Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
THE remains of seven suspected Second Chimurenga liberation war fighters have been exhumed from a mine in Chipinge which was once used by Rhodesian soldiers as a torture and killing site for freedom fighters.
The mine, which ceased operations in the 1970s, is being revived by Chinese investors, who are extracting manganese and gold.
However, the local community believes that there may be additional remains in other shafts that are yet to be reopened.
Chipinge District Development Coordinator, Mr William Mashava confirmed the discovery and exhumation of the remains by the mining firm. He said they have since engaged the Department of Museums and National Monuments and the Fallen Heroes Trust of Zimbabwe for possible further exhumations. “The process is being done in Mutandahwe area in Chipinge South. The area has a mine which was closed in the 1970s, and it was run by Rio Tinto. The new Chinese investors are said to be mining copper. The remains were discovered during the course of mining.
“We were alerted, and we referred the issue to forensic experts from the Department of Museums and National Monuments. So far seven human remains have been retrieved from the mine. The community believes that there could be more of such remains in shafts that are still to be worked on.
“We will be deliberating on how to deal with the discovered remains. The locals requested that they should be buried there, and create their own local heroes’ acre, and their request was granted. The remains are for people who fell during the liberation war, and there is one combatant, who was identified spiritually as Sibanda from
Chiredzi. There is an on-going process to locate his family.
“Some explosives were also discovered, and the Zimbabwe National Army was called in to dispose them safely. Initially, the traditional leadership was not engaged, but following our interventions, it is being rectified so that all key stakeholders are in light of what is happening,” said Mr Mashava.
Chief Garahwa said the investors are carrying out the mining operations without his blessings, and also exhumed the remains without his authority, and not in accordance with the Ndau culture.
“Yes, there are remains of people being exhumed in a mine in Mutandahwe area. I do not have much information because these people carrying out the exercise have not engaged me. As per our tradition when something major is about to take place in our area, the traditional leadership should be informed first.
“They were informed on what to do, but they ignored and proceeded to start mining. They went on to exhume the remains without my knowledge. The Ndau culture is not being respected, and no traditional rituals were not performed. It is in the best interest of the community and the investors,” said Chief Garahwa.
