Online Reporter
Weekender Reporter
THE widow of the late Buhera liberation war hero, Alex Maonde, has poured cold water on assertions that she was obstructing the erecting of the tombstone of her late husband as well as holding a memorial service.
The late Alex Maonde died on May 19, 2024, and was declared a liberation war hero.
He was buried at Mavangwe Village in Buhera on May 23, 2024.
A dispute over the erection of the tombstone, and holding of a memorial service for the late liberation hero has erupted.
The United Kingdom-based Fortune Maonde, this week, vehemently denied refusing to participate in her husband’s memorial arrangements.
Instead, she accused her children, Takudzwa and Yvonne, and her brother-in-law, Alec Maonde, of sidelining her, disregarding traditional authority, and proceeding with an unauthorised ceremony against her explicit wishes.
Fortune dismissed allegations that she had delayed the tombstone unveiling, insisting that she had been actively trying to facilitate the process, while ensuring her own medical needs were accommodated.
“I have never refused to participate in any part of my husband’s burial process or commemorations. In fact, I was the one who suggested that we begin work on the tombstone early due to financial and logistical challenges, while we continued to consult on the memorial service and tombstone unveiling. I received no engagement from my children despite multiple attempts,” she stated.
Fortune further revealed that when her children and brother-in-law, Alec Maonde, unilaterally announced a date, May 25, 2025, without her consent, she informed them that she was medically unfit to travel due to a scheduled surgical procedure.
“I proposed alternative dates, August 8-9, 2025, to allow sufficient time for my recovery and proper planning. This was flatly rejected with the statement that the event would proceed ‘with or without me’. It was only after all peaceful attempts failed that I escalated the matter to Headman Nemhari, who, after reviewing the facts, ruled that no memorial or tombstone unveiling ceremony would proceed without my knowledge, consent, or presence,” she said.
When probed further, Fortune maintained that she sticks to the information presented in an earlier statement.
She, however, insisted in getting the name of the reporter and photographer who took the footage of the Buhera gathering.
Despite this ruling, Alec and the children proceeded with the ceremony on May 25.
This prompted Headman Nemhari to summon him for violating tradition and customary law.
Alec’s sentencing before the headman’s court is still pending.
Fortune provided documentation confirming that her husband was declared a liberation war hero, reinforcing the cultural significance of the burial rites.
She also shared legal summons sent to Alec, Takudzwa and Yvonne on May 20, instructing them to halt any plans to build the grave.
The summons, issued by her lawyers, stated: “Our client is the legally recognised spouse under Zimbabwean law, including the Administration of Estates Act. We are instructed that you, along with Mr Takudzwa Maonde and other external relatives, have unilaterally planned a memorial service and proposed the erection of a tombstone on the weekend of May 24-25 2025. Our client was neither consulted, nor has she consented to any such arrangements.”
The letter outlined multiple reasons for her objection, including her medical condition, custodial rights over the gravesite and the headman’s ruling.
She warned that any unauthorised event would result in legal action, including an interdict, criminal trespass charges, and a claim for legal costs amounting to US$2 500.
However, the family went ahead and erected the tombstone.
“In an interview, Alec alleged that Fortune had made multiple trips to Zimbabwe, only to lay wreaths on the grave while neglecting cultural obligations.
“She simply does not want to return. She has made numerous trips to Zimbabwe solely to lay wreaths on the grave, while her late husband’s belongings remain untouched. The grave has become an open wound in our hearts,” said Alec.
However, Fortune countered these claims, arguing that she was deliberately excluded from decision-making, and that the family had misrepresented her intentions.
She stressed that she had followed proper legal and cultural channels to protect her rights and her husband’s dignity.
“As a widow, citizen and law-abiding Zimbabwean, I have followed proper legal and cultural channels to protect my rights, my husband’s dignity and the truth,” she said.
Headman Nemhari confirmed that the family had acted against his directive, and had summoned Alec and others for proceeding with erecting the tombstone without approval.
“The family is currently not in good favour over this matter. They were aware of the implications of their actions, and they will be dealt with accordingly. They have since admitted to their guilty before my court and I am yet to fine them,” he said.
Bayai Nyarugwe, a family member, defended the children’s actions, saying: “No one can prevent us from erecting a tombstone our brother’s grave. We are not outsiders.
“His children provided the cement and they wanted to pay their respects to their father. Why should we deny them that opportunity?”
With the tombstone already erected, but the unveiling ceremony still pending, the conflict remains unresolved.
The family insists they will proceed with the tombstone unveiling ceremony without her if necessary.
“She has made her choice. She refused to be present when we needed her, yet she wants to dictate terms from the UK? That approach will not be tolerated here,” Nyarugwe said.
