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Kamangeni Phiri Midlands Bureau
CONTROVERSIAL war veteran Wilson Kufa Chitoro has been buried as a liberation war hero following his death in Bulawayo on Wednesday last week.
The Mberengwa farmer-cum-businessman succumbed to diabetes at the United Bulawayo Hospitals aged 76.
He was buried at the Provincial Heroes’ Acre in Gweru on Tuesday. Hundreds of people converged at the Midlands shrine to bid farewell to the father of 65, who was also known by his war name, “Big”.
Speakers praised Cde Chitoro in their eulogies, describing him as a “people’s hero”, despite facing murder and kidnapping charges.
Cde Jason Machaya, the Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, said Cde Chitoro had played his part in defending and developing his country to his best ability.
He said: “Cde Chitoro was a hero to his family because he took care of his children; he was a national hero because he fought for the independence of the country and he was an economic war hero as he fought for the land reform.
“Cde Chitoro appreciated the value and importance of land since he owned farms during the Rhodesian era which he had bought. However, he left all his wealth and family to join the liberation struggle proving that he was not selfish. He played his part. It’s now our duty to carry on with the war for economic glory. It’s a war that we can win using our economic bible, Zim Asset.”
National war veterans’ chairman Cde Jabulani Sibanda said Cde Chitoro made a big sacrifice when he joined the liberation struggle at a time when others were selling out their colleagues by joining the Rhodesian army.
“People like Tendai Biti, Dumiso Dabengwa and Morgan Tsvangirai are worse than dogs because a dog protects its master and is loyal. These men are sell-outs eager to partner outsiders in selling our sovereignty, what our freedom fighters like Cde Chitoro fought for. They say they’re the champions of freedom but freedom is not doing what you want, it’s doing what is expected of you by the masses,” he said.
Cde Chitoro, widely known by his Chimurenga name Big Chitoro, was easily recognisable in his cowboy hat and knives dangling from his belt.
He was arrested in 2000 over claims he ran gangs that abducted and tortured opposition party supporters at his Texas Ranch farm in Mberengwa.
But his supporters remember him for his vigorous campaigns for the ruling Zanu-PF party in Mberengwa district. Zanu-PF has never lost a parliamentary seat in Mberengwa.
Cde Chitoro was born on June 20, 1938, in Chief Maziofa’s area, Mberengwa district.
He joined the liberation struggle in 1975 and was trained by Frelimo in the Chipunga area of Mozambique. He was further trained by Zanla Forces at Chimoio where he was appointed Detachment Commander at Shai Shai in 1977.
He was responsible for carrying material to the border as liberation fighters waged war against the racist settler regime of Ian Smith.
Cde Chitoro was deployed to Gaza Province Sector 2 and 3. He operated in areas of Gezani, Masuku, Chitautse, Maranda then moved to Mberengwa where he operated in Mahlebadza, Masase, Chingechuru, and Mataga.
He was also deployed in Mataruse, Filabusi and Gwanda areas, all in sector two.
Early in 1978, he was promoted to a member of the General Staff. During ceasefire, he went to Zezani Assembly Point in 1980 and later went to Chindunduma Camp in Shamva.
In independent Zimbabwe, the larger-than-life war veteran became an instructor of the People’s Militia popularly known as the Youth Brigade. This was the equivalent of today’s National Service Youth programme.
Cde Chitoro was elected ward 9 Councillor for Mberengwa between 2001 and 2005.
He was the war veterans’ chairperson for Mberengwa District and later elected provincial commissar for the Midlands Province War Veterans’ Association in 2009, a position he held until his death.
Cde Chitoro is survived by three wives — Simangile, Patience and Martha — and more than 65 children and 83 grandchildren.
Online Reporter