Bulawayo Heroes Acre upgrades taking time to complete

Zanu-PF politiburo member Sikhanyiso Ndlovu on Monday said the upgrading of the Bulawayo Provincial Heroes Acre in Nkulumane is taking time to complete, urging local companies to pledge their support towards the project.

Ndlovu, who was speaking on the sidelines of the Heroes Day commemorations held in the city, said Zimbabweans should be grateful for the sacrifices made by heroes of the liberation struggle.

"There has been a bit of some improvement, it was worse. There is still need to upgrade the graves; the responsible ministries should make an effort. On some graves, it is just a slab; it is disheartening for the relatives of the fallen heroes," said Ndlovu.

"We need a fence or perimeter wall to enclose this place for security. Surely, how do we fail to have just a fence? It is time we took responsibility of our Heroes Acre; companies should contribute in the upgrading of the graves.

"It is because of the sacrifices that were made by these fallen heroes that those companies exist today."

The former education minister said it was sad that the values of the liberation struggle had been eroded by corrupt individuals who continue to loot resources while exploiting the masses.

"The values of the liberation struggle date way back during detention, when we discussed that we wanted to build a nation with peace and that we want the wealth to be in the hands of the people," he said.

"The economy is still not in the hands of the people, only a few are benefiting. But what about the masses and the relatives left behind by those who fought in the war?"

Ndlovu also bemoaned the increase in sexual abuse of women, saying such offences were against the values that the fallen heroes fought for.

"Where is that mutual respect and the love for life? We had female fighters in the bush during the struggle, but we respected them. Where is that respect for the women, what is happening to our people? There are a lot of rape cases being reported, the values of the liberation struggle have been eroded," he said.

Also speaking on the sidelines of the occasion, the provincial secretary for publicity for war veterans in Bulawayo, Christopher Sibanda, said the issue of
tombstones at the shrine remained a bone of contention.

"The graves of the heroes that were laid here years ago still don't have tombstones while those that were buried later already have tombstones. There is also need to improve on the general upkeep of this place. It is not well maintained, it is only spruced up for these important occasions," he said.

Scores of people attended the Heroes Day commemorations at the Nkulumane shrine and the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in Bulawayo, Eunice Sandi Moyo, officiated at the ceremony.

Other politicians, including the former governor for Matabeleland South, Angeline Masuku and Zanu-PF Bulawayo provincial chairperson, Professor Callistus Ndlovu, attended the occasion.