adminAlthough the Matabeleland South Zanu-PF leadership had applied for the conferment of national hero status, the province’s chairman, Cde Andrew Langa, said consultations over the issue were still in progress and announced that the burial would be today.
“The conferment of the national hero status to Rtd Col Ngwenya is something that should be done by the Politburo and consultations are still going on. However, he will be buried at his home tomorrow and we will all be there,” said Cde Langa.
“The burial does not prevent the progress of the consultations. I am confident that Rtd Lt Col Ngwenya will be accorded the national hero status.”
On Tuesday Cde Langa said the provincial leadership met and unanimously resolved to apply for the conferment of national hero status on Rtd Lt-Col Ngwenya.
He said the proposal had already been sent to the Zanu-PF headquarters in Harare.
However, when contacted for comment, Zanu-PF secretary for information and publicity Cde Rugare Gumbo referred questions to the party’s secretary for administration, Cde Didymus Mutasa, who could not be reached on his mobile phone.
“All I can say frankly is that I am hearing this for the first time. You can contact Cde Mutasa maybe he has received the information.
“It is very difficult for any decision to be made now because the leaders are scattered all over. The President is also on holiday,” said Cde Gumbo.
On Tuesday senior Zanu-PF officials among them Governor and Resident Minister for Matabeleland South province Angeline Masuku, Politburo member Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube and deputy secretary for the
Women’s League Eunice Sandi Moyo visited Rtd Lt-Col Ngwenya’s home at Mathendele suburb in Plumtree town to pass their condolences to his family.
Zanu-PF national chairman, Cde Simon Khaya Moyo, deputy President of the Senate Naison Khutshwekhaya Ndlovu and Rtd Col Dube have described Rtd Lt-Col Ngwenya, whose struggle name was Elliot Mnyama “Black Swine”, as an outstanding liberation war hero whose credentials could not be disputed.
They said his passing away was a big blow to the Zanu-PF party and the nation at large.
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 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 Lt 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.
A wife, Julie, and four children survive him.
Mourners are gathered at 820 Mathendele Township in Plumtree.
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu