Chronicle Editor
Sunday News Reporter
The Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU) has released an emotional statement commemorating Andrew Ncube, a former cadre of the party who was tragically killed during the early stages of the Entumbane battle in November 1981.
Ncube, who resided in Luveve, Bulawayo, was accused of being at the forefront of hiding arms for ZIPRA, ZAPU’s armed wing, following the country’s independence in 1980.
In the statement, ZAPU revealed that Ncube was brutally tortured by government forces before succumbing to his injuries.
“Andrew Ncube endured unimaginable torture at the hands of state security agents, who accused him of hiding arms for ZIPRA. The inhumane treatment he suffered ultimately led to his untimely death,” read part of the party’s statement.
ZAPU also highlighted the ordeal faced by Ncube’s widow, Grace Kanengoni, who became a target of harassment and violence after her husband’s death.
“Following Andrew Ncube’s tragic death, government forces turned their attention to his widow, Grace Kanengoni, accusing her of knowing the locations where her late husband had allegedly hidden arms. They persistently harassed her, subjecting her to undue suffering,” the statement continued.
The party further revealed that Grace’s harassment culminated in her mysterious disappearance in December 1982.
“Grace Kanengoni disappeared under unclear circumstances, leaving her family and community devastated. Even after her disappearance, government forces continued to visit her Luveve home, demanding her whereabouts and searching for alleged arms caches,” ZAPU stated.
The party called for justice and acknowledgment of the sacrifices made by cadres like Andrew Ncube and their families, who endured untold suffering during a period of political tension and violence.
“As we remember Andrew Ncube and Grace Kanengoni, we reiterate our call for justice and the preservation of their legacy. Their lives symbolized resilience and commitment to the liberation struggle, and their sacrifices must never be forgotten,” the statement concluded.
The Entumbane battle, which erupted in Bulawayo in 1981, was one of the most violent confrontations between former liberation forces ZIPRA and ZANLA, as tensions flared following independence. ZAPU continues to honor the lives lost and the injustices endured during that tumultuous period in Zimbabwe’s history.
Online Reporter