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Conrad Mupesa
Mash West Bureau
Liberation war hero Cde James Dhewa who died on January 23, was on Sunday buried at the Chinhoyi Provincial Heroes’ Acre where he was described as a true gallant fighter of the struggle.
He was 76.
Cde Dhewa, whose Chimurenga name was Cde Jimmy Mangwende, died at Makonde Christian Hospital in Mhangura after a long illness.
Speaking at the burial, Minister of State for Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Mary Mliswa-Chikoka said the province lost a dedicated cadre who played a significant role in liberating the country.
“It is a great loss to the province and the nation at large,” she said. “He was one of the few fighters who dedicated the greater part of their lives.”
After receiving military training, Cde Dhewa went back to Zambia where he was instrumental in the recruitment and training of more youths who joined the liberation struggle.
“He recruited the likes of Cde Elliot Kadungure and Cde Sheeba Gava Zvinavashe,” said Minister Mliswa-Chikoka. “Around late 1968, Cde Dhewa was sent back to Tanzania where he became an instructor at Mgagao and Dodoma training centres.
“At the end of the 1970s’, he was deployed at the war front as a section commander in Mashonaland Central covering Dande, Kaitano, Dotito, Rushinga and Mount Darwin.”
Mashonaland West provincial war veterans’ chairperson, Cde Cornelius Muwoni said the province had been left poorer without Cde Dhewa.
During the struggle, the late Cde Dhewa worked closely with the late Cdes Mayor Urimbo and Josiah Magama Tongogara.
He is survived by his wife Shelly and six children.
Online Reporter