Remains of 280 freedom fighters exhumed

during the liberation struggle were exhumed over the weekend.
Former liberation war fighters and members of the Fallen Heroes Association of Zimbabwe have been carrying out such exhumations across the country since Independence in 1980.
More than 500 freedom fighters and civilians were killed and burnt with acid at Chibondo Mine, about 32km out of Mt Darwin.
Chief exhumer Cde Jimmy Motsi said most of the remains were of freedom fighters from Manicaland, Mashonaland West, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central and Masvingo provinces.
“They were killed during the liberation struggle but did not get a decent burial.
“What was more disturbing was that some illegal gold panners were getting gold from that very shaft,” he said.
The Herald visited the 20-metre deep mine shaft.
Skulls and bones lay all over and breathing was difficult due to the acid sprinkled on the remains of the freedom fighters.
Some of the freedom fighters are believed to have been wrapped in sacks while alive before being thrown into the shaft.
A live grenade and a bomb were also found inside the mineshaft.
Cde Motsi said, “When we talk of what happened during the liberation struggle, most people and youths think that it is a joke.
“Look what happened here? Everyone should know that these gallant sons and daughters sacrificed their lives for this country.
“That is why we always say that there is need to safeguard this country’s heritage.”
The association’s national chairman Cde George Rutanhire said it was important for people to appreciate their collective history.
“You have seen and witnessed what happened here. It is now important to know where we came from and where we are going.
“Zanu-PF will always be with the people at heart and never forget that,” he said.
Cde Rutanhire said they were not going to rest until all freedom fighters buried in mass graves were accorded decent burials.
The association conducted its first exhumation in 1980 when they facilitated the reburial of Kunzwana Chifamba, whose Chimurenga name was Tafirenyika Chimurenga.
His remains were found at Chesa in Rushinga and he was reburied in his home area in Musikavanhu, Chipinge.
So far, the association has exhumed more than 1 300 freedom fighters countrywide and identified over 500 individual graves and about 15 mass graves.