Online Reporter
Richard Muponde in Hurungwe
Zimpapers Politics Hub
Government has declared 36 Zipra cadres recently exhumed in Sanyati and Hurungwe as liberation war heroes, a development that automatically grants them State-assisted funerals ahead of their reburial on December 29.
The declarations come as Cabinet last week approved the Principles of a Bill that will govern the exhumation, repatriation and dignified reburial of liberation fighters buried inside and outside the country.
The Bill is expected to standardise and accelerate the national process of restoring dignity to thousands of freedom fighters interred in mass and unmarked graves.
The 36 declarations were accompanied by formal burial orders authorising Fallen Heroes Trust of Zimbabwe to proceed with the reburials. Five more exhumations have been cleared, bringing the total to 41 cadres set to be laid to rest on December 29.
FHTZ chairman, Dr Arthur Makanda, described the conferment of liberation hero status on the fallen comrades as a major historical and emotional milestone.
“We gathered over the weekend at Grand Parade to kick-start preparations for the reburials, and we are happy that several critical stages have now been completed. We have received all burial orders and declarations for the 36 comrades. This means the reburial process can proceed with full authority and dignity,” Dr Makanda said.
He said families of the fallen fighters had endured uncertainty “for decades,” and the Trust was committed to ensuring the heroes finally received the honour they earned during the armed struggle.
Dr Makanda confirmed that families of additional cadres –
“Nkululeko, Khumalo, Charles Moyo and two others,” had asked for their relatives to be included in the December 29 programme, which resulted in the rise to 41 exhumations. He explained that their requests were consistent with the Trust’s mandate to honour all fallen fighters whose burial sites have been identified.
He said a brother to the late Cde Charles Moyo approached the Trust during the Zanu PF 22 th Annual National People’s Conference in Mutare requesting his sibling’s remains to be accorded a dignified burial.
Dr Makanda noted that the three cadres buried together with Cde Moyo could not be separated, hence their inclusion.
“Other comrades’ families came forward requesting inclusion, and we resolved that they too must be honoured together with their fellow fighters,” Dr Makanda said.
One cadre, known by his Chimurenga name Cde Killer, will be reburied earlier after his family requested that his remains be taken to his rural home.
Dr Makanda said the Trust supported the request and would proceed once the final paperwork was done.
He also revealed that the Trust visited the mother of Cde Cephas, regarded as the leading spirit guiding the exhumation processes.
“She was fully supportive,” he said, adding that the engagement demonstrated the deep emotional weight carried by affected families.
Despite the festive season, the Trust has resolved to continue working without a Christmas break to ensure the December 29 reburials proceed as planned.
FHTZ next focus will be on new exhumation phases in Mutoko, Sanyati, Gokwe and other districts starting in 2026, as more liberation fighters remain in unmarked graves across the country
