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He was 57.
Cde Dube died at his home in Mpopoma on Friday after a long illness.
Cde Dube was the legal secretary for the Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions (ZFTU) Matabeleland region branch.
ZFTU secretary for education Matabeleland region Cde John Hungwe Magwaza described Cde Dube’s death as a big blow to their structures.
“It is a big blow to the war veterans and the trade union. We have lost someone who gave us ideas on how to tackle employers,” said Cde Magwaza.
“Cde Dube was a unifier and a man of the people. He also loved sport, as he was involved in a community team called Kongo Chiefs of Mpopoma where he was one of the officials.
“War veterans are leaving us by the day, we are not multiplying. Who will emulate the works of these freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the liberation of the country,” said Cde Magwaza.
Cde Dube’s sister, Ms Rosemary Dube, said the family had lost a father figure.
“It is a great loss to the family as he was our father figure. He loved his family even if waye eyindoda elolaka he was merciful and loving,” she said.
Ms Dube said her brother was instrumental in locating their mother who had gone missing at the beginning of this year.
“Thembinkosi looked for our mother through Chronicle in January and she was found in Tsholotsho.
“She has since disappeared again and we do not know what to do,” she said.
Cde Dube was born on 25 August 1954 in Tsholotsho in Manganga village under Chief Gampu.
He did his primary education at Ntulila Primary and completed his Grade Seven at Lukhanyiso Primary School in Mpopoma.
Cde Dube did his secondary education at Luveve High School and went up to Form Four, after which he left for Zambia and joined the armed struggle in 1977.
In 1978 he was one of the cadres who were injured when the Rhodesian forces bombed Nampundwe Camp.
After recovering he was taken to Solwezi Camp, also in Zambia, where he underwent military training and was later deployed in the then Rhodesia in Jambezi.
Cde Dube fought the settler regime in the area until the ceasefire in 1979.
He was demobilised in 1982 while at Entumbane Assembly Point.
After independence Cde Dube worked for the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) and left his job for the trade union.
His late father Mr John July Dube was also a renowned trade unionist, who was secretary-general of the National African Trade Union Congress and was once the president of the Railway Workers Union (RAWU). He died in 1981.
Cde Dube is survived by three children. Mourners are gathered at Number 51/1593 Mpopoma.
Online Reporter