VETERANS of the Liberation Struggle Affairs minister Monica Mavhunga has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing dignified burials for fallen heroes whose remains are scattered across the nation and neighbouring countries.
Mavhunga said this during the reburial of 44 Zimbabwean freedom fighters at the Matumba Six Shrine in Mutasa district last week.
The freedom fighters, who bravely fought for Zimbabwe’s independence, were tragically killed and buried in a shallow grave at Mapara Mountain.
Their remains were recently recovered, allowing for a proper reburial.
“As a government, we will continue to ensure that all our heroes receive the respect and dignity they deserve, even if their remains have been lost for years,” Mavhunga said.
“The ministry has a critical mandate to memorialise the armed revolution through exhumations, reburials, repatriations and documentation of the liberation history.
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“I would like to call upon all our traditional leaders, members of the local communities and all those who know where there are remains of our fallen freedom fighters to come forward and work with us to identify and document them,” she said.
Mavhunga also applauded ongoing efforts to locate and repatriate the remains of other freedom fighters who remain unaccounted for.
“This is not just a burial; it is a reaffirmation of our commitment to honour those who fought for our freedom. Their legacy lives on in the hearts of every Zimbabwean.”
National Liberation War Veterans Association national chairperson Cephas Ncube said: “We will not go anywhere as a nation if we forget and neglect the comrades who died in combat. For the spiritual stability of the country, we should accord all fallen freedom fighters decent reburials.”
The ceremony was attended by various dignitaries, war veterans and community members, all united in remembrance of the brave individuals who laid down their lives for the freedom of Zimbabwe.