Story by Tichaona Kurewa
LIBERATION war hero Cde Robert Mpofu, a pillar of the struggle in Hwange and beyond, has been laid to rest at his rural home in Matabeleland North. He was 79.
Cde Mpofu, brother to ZANU PF Secretary-General, Dr Obert Mpofu, died at his home last Friday and was declared a Liberation Hero in recognition of his enduring sacrifices and leadership.
Speakers at his burial described him as a brave cadre who gave selflessly to the cause of freedom, risking imprisonment and even death to support guerrilla fighters during Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle.
“We thank the President for conferring Liberation Hero status to one of us. We are grateful, as is the leadership from Hwange. We worked well with the late Cde Mpofu. He was hardworking, from the days of the liberation struggle up to the time of his death,” Hwange DCC Chairperson, Cde Mathew Muleya said.
“He supported the liberation struggle using his own resources, including vehicles. He transported freedom fighters between Zambia and Botswana, as well as from Zambia into Zimbabwe, a dangerous intervention that could have led to imprisonment or even death. But Cde Mpofu overlooked all this and sacrificed for his country; he was a brave cadre,” Zimbabwe National War Veterans Association, Matabeleland North Chairperson, Cde Nelson Sibanda added.
“He raised leaders in this province and beyond. He even recruited over ten of his siblings into the liberation struggle. He mentored two of his biological children, one went on to become a Mayor, and the other, a Member of Parliament. This is the kind of man we are burying today. He was a dedicated leader,” Cde Obert Mpofu said.
Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Honourable Richard Moyo, who is also the ZANU PF Provincial Chairperson, also paid tribute to the late hero.
“We have been robbed of a dedicated cadre. He fed guerrillas using his own resources. He could have used his vehicle for business, but chose instead to drive the liberation cause. He even slaughtered his cattle to feed the freedom fighters. He did a lot for his country. He taught us to be steadfast, to support our leaders, and to remain loyal to Zimbabwe.”
Born on October 13, 1945, Cde Mpofu became involved in the struggle for independence at a very young age.
He crossed into Zambia in 1961, where he quickly immersed himself in political activism.
There, he rose through the ranks to become the ZAPU Organising Secretary in Zambia, operating from an office near Butoha Hospital.
