Story by Kenias Chivuzhe
THE exhumation and re-burial of freedom fighters who died during the liberation struggle is continuing with the process being taken to Makoni district.
The remains of up to one hundred and fifty liberation war fighters who died during a battle in Ruwombwe, Makoni district in 1979 are set to be exhumed starting this Wednesday as the Fallen Heroes Trust scales up the exhumation and re-burial programme.
Communities are appreciative that the freedom fighters buried in mass graves throughout the district will finally be accorded decent re-burials.
“This is a great development here in Makoni. This is one of the districts where many battles were fought. A lot of people lost their lives during the war here in Makoni. We agreed to start this programme here in Mutasa. We are also reminded to push for the return of the head of Chief Chingaira which was taken to England as war trophy. We want the head to be reburied with others,” Chief Makoni said.
Cde Gift Kagweda who is leading the process revealed the discovery of 13 mass graves in the Ruwombwe area of Makoni district and outlined the exhumation and re-burial programme.
“We are exhuming and laying to rest freedom fighters who were killed during the war. We were given a report that in Ward 26 in Ruwombwe area under Mupambawashe there are mass shallow graves. We have identified 13 mass shallow graves. We have plus or minus 150 people to be reburied. We agreed to perform rituals to conduct the exhumation and reburials. We want to start the exhumations on Wednesday. We call for well-wishers to assist in funding the process.”
Government has pledged to support the exhumation programme to accord freedom fighters decent burials.
“This is the time to continue with the exhumation and reburial processes. I want to thank President Mnangagwa who saw it fit to create a ministry that deals with the veterans of the liberation struggle issues. There was a request on the need for assistance to conduct the exhumation and reburials, the support will be found. We will work together to ensure the process is a success,” Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Advocate Misheck Mugadza said.
In Manicaland, Matumba six in Mutasa District where hundreds have been buried has been declared as a national monument.
