Nkosentsha Khumalo
The welfare of former freedom fighters who participated in the guerilla warfare that brought independence to Zimbabwe has been topical for years on end.
Most of these ex-combatants are wallowing in poverty despite the sacrifice they offered for the general populace’s freedom from shackles of the white minority rulers.
The situation is, however worse for the former guerillas who fought the war under the banned Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA), the military wing of Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU), the party which was formed and led by the late iconic Father Zimbabwe, former Vice-President, Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo.
These former freedom fighters, claim the government of Zanu-PF has neglected them.
A former ZIPRA combatant, Moffat Ncube who is 64 years old, is appealing for financial assistance to enable him to have his leg treated as his condition continues to deteriorate.
Ncube was injured while on operation to fight for the country. He stepped on a anti-personnel mine in 1978 during the War for Independence, after having been assigned to lead a group of 59 guerrillas to Rhodesia, who were deployed from Lusaka headquarters in Zambia.
The former freedom fighter said his condition has since continued to deteriorate, after having been discharged from Jubilee Hospital in Francistown, Botswana, and Mpilo Central Hospital years back and has been bed ridden for the past 11 months.
Recounting the events, Ncube said,
“In 1978, 59 guerrilla recruits were deployed from Lusaka headquarters in Zambia and were assigned to cross over and report to Lupane guerrilla camp in Rhodesia.”
“Amongst the 10 trained professional guerrillas who were already in Zambia, the others were ordered to report back to Rhodesia in Lupane while I was tasked to remain behind and escort the recruits. “
Ncube said he escorted the recruits, where they left during the night and journied in a total number of 60 guerrillas.
“I led the guerrillas during the night since I was the only one who knew the way back to Rhodesia, until we crossed over the Zambezi river during the night and slept towards Kamativi in Binga,” Ncube said.
“As we woke up during the wee hours of the morning and continued with our journey, I accidentally stepped on a anti-personnel mine and that was when It exploded on my right leg.”
He said other 57 recruit guerrillas, disappeared during the time of the incident but two other recruits willingly remained behind and volunteered to carry him.
Ncube said the other 57 recruits who had disappeared during the accident were sent back to rescue him upon arrival at the Lupane guerrilla headquarters.
“They finally carried me to the camp, where upon arrival, I was airlifted by an aeroplane and was admitted at Jubilee Hospital in Francistown, Botswana for treatment where I spent about 8 months there,” Ncube added.
The ex-freedom fighter stays alone at his house in Cowdray Park suburb of Bulawayo and depends on his 3 daughters who are already married, for survival.
In response to Ncube’s plea for financial assistance, ZIPRA Veterans Association General, Petros Sibanda said most of their ZIPRA veterans are affected by various social challenges.
“We are were not aware of Ncube’s appeal for financial assistance but most of our ZPRA veterans are affected by various social challenges across the country, some were not vetted etc,” SIbanda said.
“We, however, don’t have any plans in motion yet but we always seek for any assistance in terms of cash or kindness towards such.”
He added that there should be a long term program to assist veterans of the liberation struggle as the Ministry is doing little especially on health care side, hence the need to allocate veterans homes, clinics and other important facilities.
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