President commissions another national monument

Oscar J Jeke

In a move to preserve and promote cultural heritage, President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday commissioned another national liberation war monument at Kamungoma in Gutu District, Masvingo Province, where 105 people were killed by Rhodesian forces.

He was accompanied by his deputies Kembo Mohadi and Retired General Constantino Chiwenga, together with other government officials, where he toured the monument that houses the roll of honour where names of some of the Kamungoma Massacre heroes are written.

History of the shrines has it that on May 14, 1978, a certain Comrade Double Killer and 104 unarmed civilians were massacred by the Rhodesian regime during a night raid, leading international condemnation over the brutal incident.

Addressing those gathered at the shrine unveiling, President Mnangagwa said that the shrine symbolises the power hungry Rhodesian government, while commending war collaborators for their resilience and sacrifice for the liberation of the country.

“Today, the Kamungoma Massacre is testimony of the extent to which the settler regime wanted to hold on to the governance space and architecture of our country, including pillaging our God-given resources.

“We are forever grateful to communities, whose political consciousness, clarity of vision and resolve saw us dismantle the white settler regime.

“I commend, vana chimbwido nana mujibha vedu (war collaborators), who bravely and courageously undertook dangerous missions, including the task of reconnaissance and intelligence gathering to aid our war effort,” President Mnangagwa said.

He also donated farming land to a survivor of the massacre, together with food hampers to other survivors.