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Liberation Icon Dumiso Dabengwa\u2019s Grave Threatened By Amakorokoza\u2019s Reckless Gold Mining\u2026<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Tinashe Sambiri\u2013 The grave of late liberation stalwart Dumiso Dabengwa is under threat from illegal gold mining activities, prompting opposition party Original ZAPU (O ZAPU) leaders to visit the site in Ntabazinduna on Saturday.<\/p>\n
The delegation, led by O ZAPU president Mathew Sibanda, recently assessed damage caused by miners operating just 40 metres from the historic graveyard.<\/p>\n
Reports indicate that the intruders have dug gullies up to eight metres deep, putting the grave, a nearby church, and local livestock at serious risk.<\/p>\n
The visit coincided with 21 February, a national holiday in honour of former President Robert Mugabe, but O ZAPU chose to mark the day by paying tribute to Dabengwa, a figure they described as \u201ca principled liberation commander.\u201d<\/p>\n
Douglas Ndiweni, son of the late Ntabazinduna paramount chief Khayisa Ndiweni, called for urgent government intervention.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are appealing to the government to use the national heroes status fund to protect Dumiso Dabengwa\u2019s grave and the entire graveyard,\u201d Ndiweni said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fund should be disbursed to Umguza Rural District Council so that graders and manpower can be deployed to reclaim the land degraded by illegal miners. In our culture, when we bury a loved one, we say rest in peace. But how can our national hero rest in peace when his grave is under threat from blasting and illegal mining? This place must be one of tranquillity and respect.\u201d<\/p>\n
He stressed that while youth mining initiatives are important, they must never take place near sacred community graveyards.
After inspecting the damaged areas, Sibanda and other O ZAPU officials joined Ndiweni and local residents in laying wreaths and cleaning up Dabengwa\u2019s grave and that of his late wife.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe legacy of Dumiso Dabengwa deserves protection,\u201d Sibanda said. \u201cWe will engage the relevant authorities to ensure immediate action, including fencing the graveyard and rehabilitating the land damaged by illegal mining.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dumiso Dabengwa passed away on May 23, 2019, at the age of 79 while returning from medical treatment in India. He was declared a national hero and laid to rest in his family graveyard in Ntabazinduna.<\/p>\n
O ZAPU\u2019s visit highlights growing concern over illegal mining and the urgent need to safeguard sites of national heritage, ensuring that Zimbabwe\u2019s liberation icons are honored and protected.<\/p>\n
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