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Zanu-PF National Chairman Cde Simon Khaya Moyo told Chronicle last night after a Zanu-PF Politburo meeting in Harare that Rtd Lt Col Ngwenya was unanimously declared a National Hero in honour of his outstanding liberation war credentials.
“The Zanu-PF Politburo chaired by His Excellency and First Secretary Cde R G Mugabe met in Harare today and unanimously declared the above named a national hero,” said Cde Khaya Moyo.
“The delay was due to unforeseen circumstances as the late comrade passed on, on 25 December 2011 although he was given full military honours at the time of his burial. The late Cde Ngwenya was indeed an astute cadre of the revolution, an intelligence cum military strategist, a liberation war tactician, a man of incredible courage, a freedom fighter of impeccable credentials and above all a man of the people.”
Cde Khaya Moyo said the late Rtd Lt Col Ngwenya aka Elliot Mnyamana Black Swine, was a true nationalist whose example is worthy of emulation.
“Black Swine loved his party, Zanu-PF with passion and the declaration of National Hero status is in honour of his heroic deeds in liberating his motherland. He died a free man and has left a legacy of service to this great country. We dare not fail him for in his grave he deserves eternal peace,” said Cde Khaya Moyo.
Rtd Lt Col Ngwenya died aged 63 at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) on Christmas Day after a short illness.
He was later on buried in Plumtree Town.
At that time Zanu-PF senior political leadership from Matabeleland region such as the national chairman Cde Khaya Moyo, Deputy Senate President Cde Naison Khutshwekhaya Ndlovu and Rtd Col Tshinga Dube, Cde Andrew Langa described Rtd Lt Col Ngwenya as an outstanding liberation war hero whose liberation credentials could not be disputed.
Rtd Lt Col Ngwenya was born in Bulilima district under Chief Mpini on 2 February 1948.
He did his primary education at Dombodema Primary School. He proceeded to Inyathi Mission for his secondary education before going to Thekwane Mission where he completed his Ordinary Levels.
In 1963 he worked at Meikles Number Two Store in Hwange as an assistant manager.
Rtd Lt Col Ngwenya joined the liberation struggle at its earliest stages in the 1960s with the likes of the late Cde Solomon Mujuru and Victor Mlambo.
He was sent to Tanzania for military training and stayed there until 1969 when he went back to Zambia.
Rtd Lt Col Ngwenya was chosen to go to Russia for further military training and upon completion he was deployed at Zipra intelligence headquarters.
He escaped a raid by the settler regime in Botswana where Cde Ethan Dube was captured.
Rtd Lt Col Ngwenya was deployed in the Kariba area where his unit was land mined and ambushed by the settler regime forces and he was shot in the stomach and captured.
He, however, escaped and joined other freedom fighters.
He was enlisted into the ZNA and rose through the ranks and was elevated to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
He retired in 1994.
Online Reporter