adminHe was 63.
Rtd Lt-Col Ngwenya died at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) on Christmas Day after a short illness.
Yesterday senior Zanu-PF officials among them the Governor and Resident Minister for Matabeleland South province Angeline Masuku, Politburo member Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube and Deputy Secretary for
the Women’s League Cde Eunice Sandi Moyo visited Rtd Lt-Col Ngwenya’s home at Mathendele suburb in Plumtree town to pass their condolence messages to his family.
Zanu-PF national chairman Cde Simon Khaya Moyo also sent his condolence message to Rtd Lt-Col Ngwenya’s widow, Julie, saying her husband was a genuine revolutionary and a true son of the soil.
“I have learnt with great shock and dismay of the death of your husband, Rtd Lt-Col Chilisi Bhuka Ngwenya, whose struggle name was Elliot Mnyama ‘Black Swine’,” said Cde Khaya Moyo.
“He was a revolutionary of great intelligence, a cadre of impeccable liberation war credentials, and a brave son of the soil. A man of purpose, a disciple of the Unity Accord and an unwavering champion of the struggle for total economic emancipation,” said Cde Khaya Moyo.
“In his demise the people of Bulilima and Mangwe districts have lost a jewel, Matabeleland South province is without a great son and Zimbabwe is poorer by his absence.”
Deputy President of the Senate Cde Naison Khutshwekhaya Ndlovu described Rtd Lt-Col Ngwenya, as an outstanding liberation war hero whose credentials could not be disputed.
“Yiwo la amajaha ayethwele ibutho. He was on the battle front with others from the beginning up to the end. He never retreated. He distinguished himself as a political and military genius.
“He is one of the people who brought liberation to this country. His passing away is a painful blow to the Zanu-PF party. He has left a vacuum that no one else can fill,” said Cde Ndlovu.
“The rank of a colonel is more senior in the military and to me he qualifies to be accorded a national hero status.”
Rtd Col Tshinga Dube said Rtd Lt-Col Ngwenya was a seasoned politician and a military tactician who contributed a lot to the liberation of Zimbabwe.
“He joined the liberation struggle at its earliest stages in the 1960s. He came to Luthuli Camp in Zambia where I was together with the late Solomon Mujuru, Victor Mlambo and many others,” said Rtd Col Dube.
He was sent to Tanzania for military training and stayed there until 1969. He returned to Zambia and was sent to Russia in 1973 for further training with other cadres.
“He came back to Zambia and worked in the intelligence department co-ordinating information from Botswana. During that time he was shot in the stomach by the Rhodesian forces and taken to prison until his release in 1980. Yindoda eyasebenzayo sibili. I have no objection if he is declared a national hero.”
Zanu-PF Matabeleland South chairman Cde Andrew Langa said Rtd Lt-Col Ngwenya was a giant figure in the political history of the country who deserved the national hero status.
“As a province we request that he be accorded a national hero status. He was very senior and to confer him the provincial hero status would be an insult,” said Cde Langa.
“Rtd Lt-Col Ngwenya played a pivotal role in the liberation of this country from the 1960s until independence. After independence he remained loyal to the revolutionary cause until retirement. He was also faithful to the party.
“It is people like him who should pen the history of this country because they made it. He was also a humble and an affable leader.”
Cde Langa said the provincial leadership has met and unanimously resolved to apply for the conferment of a national hero status to Rtd Lt-Col Ngwenya.
He said the proposal had already been sent to the Zanu-PF headquarters in Harare.
Rtd Lt-Col Ngwenya was born in Bulilima district under Chief Mphini 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 Level.
In 1963 he worked at Meikles Number Two Store in Hwange as an assistant manager.
In 1964 Rtd Lt-Col Ngwenya left for Botswana to join the armed struggle before being sent to Zambia. In Zambia he joined Zipra liberation forces at Luthuli Camp the same year.
In 1967 he went for military training in Tanzania and completed his training along with 72 others in 1969.
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 area of Kariba where his unit was land mined and ambushed by the settler regime forces and was shot in the stomach and captured.
At the attainment of independence in 1980 he was released and then enlisted into ZNA where he rose through the ranks and was elevated to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel until he retired in 1994.
He is survived by wife Julie and four children. Mourners are gathered at 820 Mathendele Township in Plumtree.
Burial arrangements are yet to be announced.
Online Reporter