Published: 2 hours ago

Government will soon embark on a major facelift of liberation war heritage sites in neighbouring countries where thousands of Zimbabwe's fallen heroes lie in mass graves, many of them still unmarked.

Vice President Kembo Mohadi revealed the initiative during his tour of shrines in Tanzania, Zambia, Angola and Mozambique this week. He said the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage would spearhead the project to restore dignity to the sites, some of which have been left in neglect.

During the liberation struggle, Rhodesian forces launched brutal air and ground attacks on guerrilla training and refugee camps, leaving thousands dead. Many were buried in mass graves across the region, with Mozambique alone hosting about 17 shrines.

While some, such as Chimoio, Nyadzonia, Tembwe, Nyangao, Tongogara Memorial and Changara, have constructed graves, others remain unmarked, including Madulu, Mapai, Barrage, Chibavava, Navonde, Espungabeira and Save. Most of these shrines lack basic infrastructure such as boreholes, ablution facilities, security fencing, and road access.

"There are a lot of less important things that we can sacrifice resources for in order for this initiative to be undertaken," Mohadi said at Chimoio Shrine. He suggested that funds from gambling revenues could be channelled towards developing the shrines into tourism products while preserving their historical value.

He stressed the importance of consistently educating young Zimbabweans about the atrocities committed during the war to instil patriotism. "When you look at these mass graves, it is difficult to imagine that people were killed in numbers like this. It is painful… The story of the liberation war must be told now and again to all Zimbabweans," he said, likening the remembrance to how Europe has kept alive the memory of the Holocaust.

Mohadi also expressed gratitude to Mozambique for preserving Zimbabwe's war heritage. Addressing locals at Doroei Shrine in Manica Province, he said: "You supported us during the war and here you are supporting us in preserving the legacy of the liberation war. As a country, Zimbabwe will forever be grateful to have a neighbour like Mozambique."

As part of the planned renovations, Government will also consider developing community amenities in areas surrounding the shrines.

The Vice President was accompanied on the tour by Zimbabwe's Ambassador to Mozambique, Victor Matemadanda, Deputy Information Minister Dr Omphile Marupi, Deputy Home Affairs Minister Chido Sanyatwe, Manicaland Minister of State Misheck Mugadza, Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Reverend Paul Damasane, and Consul General to Beira Malvern Bere.
- The Herald