News / National
Mass graves unearthed
14 Mar 2014 at 14:06hrs | Views
AT least four sites with more than 30 human remains of fallen heroes were discovered in Musikavanhu area of Chipinge recently. The sites, Nyazvikari, Munazvo, Muumbe and Mjee, were discovered in the southern part of Musikavanhu.
Chipinge, like most parts of Manicaland, was used as the entry and exit points by liberation fighters to and from Mozambique during the war of liberation.
The remains were exposed by the heavy rains that swept away the soil that covered them.
A war veteran and villager in Muumbe, Philemon Chitokonye, confirmed the discovery of the mass graves and urged the responsible authorities to move in with speed and accord the fallen heroes a decent burial.
"We discovered human remains of fallen cadres and war collaborators who were buried in shallow graves in these sites.
"The remains are now exposed and the situation requires urgent address. There is need for exhumation and reburials.
"So far, four sites have been identified and villagers are providing security. We have so far contacted the National Fallen Heroes' Trust of Zimbabwe to assist in the exhumations and reburials," he said.
In an interview, the National Fallen Heroes Trust of Zimbabwe co-ordinator, Evelyn Mkwambeni, also confirmed the discovery of the shallow graves in Musikavanhu and said her office was working flat out to ensure that the exhumations and reburials were speedily done.
She said there were various processes to be followed before the exhumations were done.
The processes include consultations with the local chief and also appeasing the spirits of the comrades for them to help in revealing their origins.
"We are saddened by the situation at these sites and my office and various stakeholders in Chipinge are working together in mobilising resources that will help us in exhuming and reburying our fellow comrades. Last week we set up a fund-raising committee and we are going to meet again today (Friday) for the updates of resources mobilised," she said.
Mkwambeni said they were expecting more bodies to be exhumed in the area as it was an entry point to Mozambique by comrades during the liberation struggle.
"The area was an entry point by comrades on their way to Mozambique and the victims were shot and thrown in these graves by Rhodesian forces, hence we are expecting many more discoveries.
"We are optimistic that if resources are mobilised, we will start the exhumations this month.
"So far we managed to get help from Green Fuel who provided us with 100 litres of fuel and Joshua Murire has provided transport. We also need coffins, disinfected kits, blankets, soap and gloves.
"Our intention is to give the fallen heroes a befitting burial at Chipinge District Heroes' Acre," she said.
Chipinge, like most parts of Manicaland, was used as the entry and exit points by liberation fighters to and from Mozambique during the war of liberation.
The remains were exposed by the heavy rains that swept away the soil that covered them.
A war veteran and villager in Muumbe, Philemon Chitokonye, confirmed the discovery of the mass graves and urged the responsible authorities to move in with speed and accord the fallen heroes a decent burial.
"We discovered human remains of fallen cadres and war collaborators who were buried in shallow graves in these sites.
"The remains are now exposed and the situation requires urgent address. There is need for exhumation and reburials.
"So far, four sites have been identified and villagers are providing security. We have so far contacted the National Fallen Heroes' Trust of Zimbabwe to assist in the exhumations and reburials," he said.
In an interview, the National Fallen Heroes Trust of Zimbabwe co-ordinator, Evelyn Mkwambeni, also confirmed the discovery of the shallow graves in Musikavanhu and said her office was working flat out to ensure that the exhumations and reburials were speedily done.
The processes include consultations with the local chief and also appeasing the spirits of the comrades for them to help in revealing their origins.
"We are saddened by the situation at these sites and my office and various stakeholders in Chipinge are working together in mobilising resources that will help us in exhuming and reburying our fellow comrades. Last week we set up a fund-raising committee and we are going to meet again today (Friday) for the updates of resources mobilised," she said.
Mkwambeni said they were expecting more bodies to be exhumed in the area as it was an entry point to Mozambique by comrades during the liberation struggle.
"The area was an entry point by comrades on their way to Mozambique and the victims were shot and thrown in these graves by Rhodesian forces, hence we are expecting many more discoveries.
"We are optimistic that if resources are mobilised, we will start the exhumations this month.
"So far we managed to get help from Green Fuel who provided us with 100 litres of fuel and Joshua Murire has provided transport. We also need coffins, disinfected kits, blankets, soap and gloves.
"Our intention is to give the fallen heroes a befitting burial at Chipinge District Heroes' Acre," she said.
Source - manicapost
