Liberation war hero Nyathi dies

He was 55.
Rtd WO1 Nyathi was involved in a train accident on Tuesday and died on the spot after sustaining serious head injuries.
Speaking to Chronicle yesterday, his uncle Mr Ndaba Tshuma said his nephew had died a painful death.
“Rtd WO1 Nyathi got his clothes hooked to a moving train near Gloag High School turn off. When he tried to free himself he hit against the train and fell to the ground and died on the spot,” said Mr Tshuma.
Rtd WO1 was born 8 February 1956 in Mandihongola Area of Kezi district and attended Mandihongola and Sankonjane Primary Schools for his primary education.
He later worked at Takaliawa Grinding Mill before proceeding to Bulawayo where he also worked as a general worker.
He joined the liberation struggle in Botswana in December 1976 and later went to Nampundu transit camp in Zambia where he completed his basic military training at CGTI in Zambia the following year.
Rtd WO1 Nyathi did reconnaissance training for six months at Tshinyunyu in 1977 and was deployed in the Sipolilo area where he operated from up to the ceasefire leading to the country’s independence.
He was attested into the Zimbabwe National Army in March 1981 at Inkomo Barracks and was posted to HQ 4 Brigade.
Rtd WO1 served the army in units that include Headquaters Four Brigade, 1:2 Infantry Battalion and the 4:3 Infantry Battalion.
During his service, Rtd WO1 Nyathi received the Zimbabwe liberation, Zimbabwe Independence, Mozambique campaign, 10 and 15-year service exemplary and the sovereignty and legitimacy bravery medals.
His wife Angela and four children survive him.
Mourners are gathered at house number 8376 Nkulumane, Bulawayo.
He will be buried at the Nkulumane Provincial Heroes’ Acre at 11 am today.