State of Lupane Provincial Heroes’ Acre concerning

AS Zimbabwe readies to celebrate its Heroes and Defence Forces days on August 14 and 15, the state of the Lupane Provincial Heroes’ Acre has come under the spotlight with families of the departed heroes complaining about neglect of the shrine.

There have been concerns over the state of the provincial heroes’ shrine over the years with some people desecrating the monument.

Some daring thieves a few years ago vandalised the perimeter fence which had been erected around the shrine.

The fence was put up to keep away livestock and people, as local herdsmen tended their cattle, goats and donkeys at the heroes acre, while people also created some paths passing through the site.

As a result, some tombstones have been vandalised.

About half of the over 30 graves have tombstones while the rest are either concrete or mounds of soil.

Widows and children of war veterans who were buried at the provincial shrine, as well as war veterans in the province have implored Government to urgently upgrade the shrine.

Widow of the late hero David Ngwenya who died in 2007, Mrs Monica Ngwenya of Lupane said the state of the monument must be improved.

“The shrine is in a bad state as it is not protected. It’s just an open space and wildlife and livestock graze within the shrine. Its state doesn’t show that it’s sacred,” she said.

The Lupane community was devastated when thieves cut the fence a few years ago.

“As widows, we wish Government could intervene and find ways to protect the shrine to show its importance and that it is fit as a resting place for our heroes.

“There should be a plaque showing who is buried there for future generations to know our history,” said Mrs Ngwenya.

She is the chairperson of the Lupane Local Board.

Mrs Ngwenya said the council has been actively involved in periodic maintenance of the shrine especially cleaning the premises and being involved in the preparations for Heroes Day.

Another widow, Mrs Nomsa Mathema whose husband Joel Ndlovu Mathema died in 2004 and was buried at the shrine concurred that the shrine needs upgrading.

She said Heroes Day is a day to remember fallen heroes who brought independence to the country.

“The heroes acre should be fixed. Heroes Day reminds us of our loved ones hence when we see it in a sorry state we get hurt,” she said while calling upon Government to intervene.

The heroes acre and other monuments are managed by the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ) which has also in the past expressed concern over unavailability of funds to maintain the shrines.

Political Commissar for Children of Zimbabwe Liberation War Veterans Association in Matabeleland North Province Ms Sindisiwe Ngwenya who is also Zanu-PF Provincial member for the Youth League said the Lupane heroes acre is not up to standard.

“Some graves have been vandalised while others have no tombstones. Some families have taken it upon themselves to upgrade their departed members’ graves and as children of war veterans we don’t want that.

“If you go there you find people herding cattle and in most cases those flowers which are put on graves are stolen and we wonder if they are not the same that are recycled and sold again to bereaved families,” she said.

Ms Ngwenya said children of war veterans must be accorded more respect and recognition.

She said the shrine needs security to protect the graves and preserve its sanctity.

A funeral services company once pledged to upgrade the shrine but nothing has been done to date.

Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Richard Moyo said his office was always engaging NMMZ and implored Government to prioritise the shrine.

“We are always pushing but nothing has been done and it’s as if the place is neglected. We encourage Government to prioritise widows and families of war veterans so that these places are maintained well and their concerns are addressed,” he said. — @ncubeleon