By Victor Fanuel
HARARE — Zanu PF secretary for War Veterans Douglas Mahiya has joined the escalating dispute over mining activities at shrines linked to First Chimurenga heroes Sekuru Kaguvi and Chief Chinegundu Mashayamombe, saying reports of miners tampering with national heritage sites are “uncalled for.”
Comments come as descendants of Kaguvi, Mbuya Nehanda and Mashayamombe press President Emmerson Mnangagwa and First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa to stop works by Chinese-owned GritMine Minerals in Mhondoro, warning a proposed cofferdam could ultimately submerge sacred shrines, ancestral graves and rainmaking sites.
Addressing journalists ahead of Heroes Day commemorations on Monday, Mahiya said heritage sites were inseparable from Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle and deserved protection.
“Heritage sites literally means that there are such sites whose cultural value is recognised nationally and historically.
“These sites are linked to the principles of the revolution and to the struggle for liberation,” he said.
Mahiya identified the shrines of Chief Chinegundu Mashayamombe, Sekuru Kaguvi and Sekuru Chaminuka among sites that must be safeguarded.
“Our heritage sites include the Chinengundu Mashayamombe shrine, Sekuru Kaguvi, Sekuru Chaminuka and others, especially those from the First Chimurenga.
“We also have those who fought in the Second Chimurenga, and we must ensure that their graves are protected,” he said.
He said Mashayamombe’s Njatara shrine occupied a special place in Zimbabwe’s liberation history because of the alliance between the chief and spirit medium Kaguvi, whose spiritual leadership strengthened resistance against colonial occupation.
Without referring to GritMine Minerals by name, Mahiya also condemned reported interference with heritage sites.
“We heard some reports that there are miners who are tampering with the heritage sites.
“This is uncalled for,” he said.
Mahiya’s remarks echo concerns raised by descendants of Kaguvi, Nehanda and Mashayamombe, who say heavy machinery is already clearing parts of the disputed landscape in Mhondoro.
Community leaders fear a permanent dam would erase one of Zimbabwe’s most significant First Chimurenga heritage landscapes.
Descendants argue the site contains shrines, ancestral graves, traditional courts and rainmaking sites preserved for generations, and say similar proposals were rejected in the 1990s because of the area’s historical significance.
Mahiya urged Zimbabweans to visit liberation shrines during Heroes Day commemorations to keep the country’s history alive.
He also praised government efforts to repatriate and rebury fallen liberation fighters.
“There is a need to provide proper reburials for freedom fighters who died during the liberation struggle, both in and outside the country.
“We appreciate the efforts of state-led exhumations, the rehabilitation of mass graves in neighbouring countries such as Mozambique, and the reburial ceremonies conducted at shrines and at the National Heroes,” he said.
Liberation heritage sites across Zimbabwe include Kamungoma Liberation War Shrine in Gutu, Chinhoyi Battle Shrine, Matumba Six Shrine near Old Mutare, Matobo Shrine and memorials commemorating the Chimoio, Nyadzonya, Jotsholo and Ratanyana massacres.
