adminChinhoyi Bureau-FORMER freedom fighter Cde Elijah Mangozho, who died last week and was declared a provincial hero, was buried on Monday at the Chinhoyi Provincial Heroes Acre.
Cde Mangozho was instrumental in the formation of the Zimbabwe Ex-Political Prisoners, Detainees and Restrictees Association.
He died at the age of 85 last Friday.
Cde Mangozho was born on June 11, 1925 and joined politics in 1939.
He was arrested, detained and restricted on several occasions during the 1960s because of his involvement in the politics that spearheaded the liberation war.
He studied up to Standard Five while in prison before being released in 1966.
Cde Mangozho is credited with mobilising support for guerrillas.
Addressing mourners yesterday, Mashonaland West Governor and Resident Minister Faber Chidarikire described Cde Mangozho as a principled cadre whose zeal and dedication saw him being elected into the ZanuPF National Consultative Assembly.
Mashonaland West provincial war veterans’ chairperson Cde Takesure Chemhere said the late hero had never tired in his quest to see Zimbabwe develop.
“He was a persistent and consistent cadre of the revolution who did not tire even when faced such adversity like losing your wife because of your involvement in politics,” she said.
His wife left him while he was in detention under the racist Smith regime.
Zanu-PF’s provincial chairman for Mashonaland West, Cde Robert Sikanyika — who is also a relative to the late hero — said Cde Mangozho was unwavering in his support for Zanu-PF’s revolutionary ideals.
He is survived by his wife and 10 children.
Online Reporter