War veteran dies in scania enroute to hospital

Sibanda died near the Nguboyenja flyover. He was 52.
Cde Sibanda was staying at the Richmond dumpsite popularly known as “Ngozi Mine”.
In an interview at Mpilo mortuary while awaiting the collection of Sibanda’s body for burial, Bulawayo war veterans chairman Cde Themba Ncube said it was sad that some liberation fighters continue to die without receiving their benefits because of delays in vetting. “We have many war veterans who have not been vetted to date including Cde Sibanda. Some of them die before getting their benefits. Our leaders know about this but no one is concerned. Some of them are in South Africa, some in rural areas and they have not been vetted,” said Cde Ncube.
His deputy, Cde Japhet Phuthi, echoed the same sentiments.
“It is sad that our members die like this. We have a problem with people in charge of the vetting process in our Government offices. We have engaged them several times over this issue but they are not forthcoming.
“We are always told that we should come in large numbers. They forget that we liberated this country and brought the freedom they are enjoying today,” said Cde Phuthi.
Cde Sibanda’s close friend Cde David Maduma said Cde Sibanda had been ill for a long time.
“He has not been feeling well for a long time. He died in a scania on 12 January, just after the Nguboyenja flyover where he was being pushed to Mpilo Hospital,” said Cde Maduma.
His wife Lynette said Cde Sibanda had difficulty passing urine.
Cde Sibanda was born on 12 September 1958 in Tsholotsho District. He did his primary education at Bhubhute Primary School from 1965 to 1969.
Cde Sibanda joined the armed struggle in 1977 when he left the country for Zambia. He stayed briefly at Nampundu Camp before he was sent for military training at Boma Camp in Angola. After training he was deployed in Hurungwe, Mashonaland West where he operated until the ceasefire in 1979.
Cde Sibanda went to Papa Assembly Point, after, which he was integrated into the Zimbabwe National Army and was posted to 3:1 Infantry Battalion in Manicaland. Cde Sibanda left the army in 1982 and went to South Africa where he worked until 1998.
He, however, missed the vetting process and had not been vetted at the time of his death. Cde Sibanda was an active Zanu-PF member in DCC One in Richmond. He is survived by a wife and two children, Shadreck and Mphumuzeni.