War vets want to be buried on their farms

War veterans in Mashonaland Central are advocating for former liberation war fighters with land to be buried at their respective farms to safeguard their properties.

Addressing mourners at the burial of provincial hero Biggie Makuro at the provincial heroes acre last week, war veterans provincial chairman, Sam Parirenyatwa said by having fallen heroes buried at their farms, their families would retain the land. Makuro (56) succumbed to diabetes.

"It was our wish that our fellow comrades be buried at their respective farms," he said.

"They fear that if they are buried at the provincial heroes' acre their farms will be repossessed. The late Makuro was given an offer letter a year back, but some people were giving him a torrid time.

"I promise his family that their farm will not be taken away. We appeal to the Minister of State for Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs, Advocate Martin Dinha, to intervene and ensure that the land is not taken away."

Zanu-PF Politburo member Monica Mavhunga said the late Makuro worked tirelessly during the campaigning period and it was saddening that he died on the elections day.

"His death is a great loss to the party," she said. "He was the political commissar for Chimunhu District which grew into two districts, A and B, after many people joined the party. He encouraged me to become a senator. "There was mayhem at his farm resulting in him losing some farming equipment. We want this issue addressed."

Adv Dinha advised the family to approach his office so that the offer letter for the farm was transferred into the surviving spouse's name.

"Issues at this farm have been resolved," he said.

"He wanted to exchange this farm with another farmer. The land reform is irreversible, we can only downsize farms that exceed hectares for that region. Today we celebrate his life and the work he did for the country."

Makuro, whose Chimurenga name was Long-range Tongai, was born in 1962 in Makoni Village in Rusape and did his primary school at St John's Primary School in 1969. He joined the liberation struggle in 1976 and stayed at Doroi Camp in Mozambique. He was later sent to Yugoslavia for training and was deployed to the front until the ceasefire in 1979. He was integrated into the army until retirement. He pursued an engineering course in Denmark and was employed by Trojan Nickel Mine.

Makuro is survived by his wife and seven children.