By Archford Chirimudombo
MARONDERA- Zanu PF Mashonaland East chairman Daniel Garwe has reiterated
the ruling party’s respect and honour to the living and departed fighters of the
country’s liberation.
Recently, Garwe officiated at a tombstones unveiling ceremony for five war
collaborators who were killed during the liberation war era.
He initiated and funded the installation of tombstones to the graves of the war
collaborators who were killed September 17, 1979 in Matara Village, Ward 10 in
Murehwa district.
Their killing was reportedly as a result of a sellout who informed Rhodesian soldiers
of the movements and operations of the freedom fighters who were caught unaware
and shot dead.
After ensuring that the tombstones were properly set and the site secured with a
security fence, the provincial Zanu PF chairman, accompanied by the ruling party’s
and Government officials then officiated at the tombstone unveiling process.
“We are gathered here to give a befitting honour to the fallen gallant freedom fighters
buried at this site. Yes, they were buried in flesh but their spirit is still with us. Their
spirit, together with the spirits of those who perished in Nyadzonia, Tembwe,
Chimoio and other sites in mountains and rivers, are still here with us.
“These departed comrades paid dearly with their lives for our freedom with their
blood. We must honour them for their dedication and sacrifice. We remember them
today and always. For us to be free and enjoy this independence, it is because of the
sacrifices that were made by these people buried here.
“We will never thank them enough for what they did. I am happy that today we have
one of the comrades who fought alongside the departed heroes buried at this site.
He is happy that we gave a befitting honor to these comrades,” Garwe, who is also a
war collaborator said.
He took the opportunity to remind the people from Murehwa to always respect the
country’s living war heroes and heroines, narrating how he contributed to the armed
struggle as a war collaborator, under the guidance of the trained freedom fighters.
A survivor of the incident, who was leading a team of freedom fighters, David
Chigumbu whose liberation war name was James Dendera Kambanje applauded the
move made by Garwe and the ruling party.
Chigumbu said: “I feel honoured by this gesture. I am one of the people who
operated in this area. On that particular day when these late comrades died, we
suddenly saw helicopters coming from different directions. We were cornered and in
that battle, we lost trained freedom fighters and five war collaborators. They were
shot at the same spot and we could not do anything to save their lives.
“After independence, I never came back to this place up to this day. I am humbled by
this gesture and I am saying to my fellow fallen comrades, rest in peace now.”
Bertha Chinyanga, a war veteran from Murehwa also applauded the gesture made
by Garwe.
She said: “As a freedom fighter, I feel happy and humbled by this gesture. This place
is now in a presentable state and nolonger look neglected. Our fellow comrades can
now rest in peace. I thank our provincial party chairman who played a critical role in
ensuring that this site is taken care of.”
New Ziana
