Mabuya family grateful for hero status

The family of late Kenny Mabuya has expressed gratitude to the government for confering him with national hero status in recognition of his immense contribution towards and after the independence of Zimbabwe.

The late Mabuya, a distinguished military intelligence officer, died at the West End clinic in the capital on the 23rd of January after a short illness. He was 72.

Speaking during his burial at the National Heroes Acre on Thursday, son to the late, Hiber Mabuya said it was an honour to the family to have the former freedom fighter conferred with national hero status.

“As a family, we have always known our father as a kind and humble person, and it came as no surprise when we learnt of his history of selflessly offering his life to the freedom of the nation,” he said.

Mabuya said his father was an epitome of unity, not only in the family, but to the whole country.

He said it was humbling that the death of his father was not only a loss to the Mabuya family, but also to the nation at large.

“I thank you the people of Zimbabwe for coming to mourn with us today. We certainly are not alone as the Mabuya family. We are indeed comforted by the sympathy you have shown to our family in the loss,” he said.

Theb late Mabuya, whose nom de guerre was Comrade Kenny Ridzai, was born on 12 January 1952 in Gangabezi village under Chief Ndube in Fulabusi, Insiza District, Matabeleland South province.

His political consciousness matured considerably as a result of social injustices, indiscriminate imprisonment of Africans, and restriction of their freedom of movement by Rhodesian security forces, particularly in Bulawayo suburbs.

The late Mabuya skipped school while in Form 2 and went to the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) offices in Lusaka, Zambia and offered to join the Liberation struggle. After being received and shortlisted, he was taken to the famous house number 93 in Lusaka, where the late national hero Josiah Tongogara resided.

In 1969 the youthful freedom fighter and other recruits left Lusaka for Itumbi training camp in the United Republic of Tanzania for military training, under the tutorship of military instructors from China.

On completion of military training, together with his colleagues, he was deployed to Mozambique and received by others who had already negotiated with FRELIMO for passage into then Rhodesia.

At some point, the late Mabuya suffered injuries following an intense battle with the enemy. While recovering, he would seek sanctuary for close to a year at chief Makuni’s homestead. Instead of quitting the liberation struggle, Mabuya chose to be re-deployed in the centenary area, where they opened the Bakasa area to freedom fighters.

In 1974 he was put in charge of recruits and was later moved to Mboroma camp and assigned to be in charge of security.

Thereafter, the late Mabuya went to China for further training in intelligence and security. In recognition of excellent leadership qualities, he was appointed to deputize the late former Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander Vitalis “Gava” Zvinavashe, as a member of the high command.

In 1979 he was part of the advance security team to the Lancaster House talks.

Following the attainment of independence, the late Mabuya was attested into the Zimbabwe National Army in 1981 and commissioned to the rank of Lieutenant in 1982, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1990.

After an Illustrious service in the ZDF, he retired in 1994.

New Ziana