THE Chimoio Shrine in Mozambique was last week crowded with thousands of Zimbabweans who were paying respect to innocent Zimbabweans who were massacred by Ian Smith’s Rhodesian soldiers in an operation codenamed ‘Dingo’ on November 23 1977.
It is estimated that over 3 000 people were killed.
Among the people who visited Chimoio last week were members of the ZANU PF Women’s League from Midlands, members of Zimbabwe Liberation War Collaborators (ZILIWACO) Trust and students from Govera Secondary School in Domboshava.
Survivors of the dreadful attack, Cde Toga Tichatonga, Cde Alice Mutondori and Cde Samuel Dhliwayo were also present.
The ZANU PF Women’s League from Midlands travelled to Chimoio courtesy of Cde Auxillia Mnangagwa and Cde Perseverance Zhou.
In an interview with The Patriot, Cde Zhou said the majority of people who perished at Chimoio were women and it was important for everyone in the country to understand that women played an invaluable role in the liberation struggle.
She said the brutality of the Smith regime must never be swept under the carpet.
“It is important to visit such places as Chimoio for people to see for themselves just how brutal and evil the Smith regime was because they went on a spree of massacres targeting innocent Zimbabweans longing for their independence,” said Cde Zhou.
“Some people believe after seeing ‘scares’ like Thomas the disciple of Jesus Christ and that is why we organised this tour.
“We have brought here women from all the eight districts of Midlands thus Gokwe North, Gokwe South, Shurugwi, Zvishavane, Mberengwa, Kwekwe, Churumananzu and Gweru,” she said.
Cde Zhou emphasised the need to honour freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for Zimbabwe.
“The comrades who are buried here and other places were killed for the freedom we are enjoying today,” she said.
“The only way we can show gratitude to these gallant sons who were cruelly murdered by the Rhodesians is safeguarding our heritage, Zimbabwe.”
The Chairman for ZILIWACO Trust, Allen Nemaunga, said he was happy that his organisation had managed to visit Chimoio.
He said such visits educate the youths about the history of Zimbabwe.
“I have heard about Chimoio bombings several times, but this visit has clearly brought the story to reality,” he said.
“It is sad and disturbing that this place looks neglected, yet people who are here were killed for our freedom.
“The Government must prioritise the maintenance of these shrines because they are our heritage.”
The secretary-general of ZILIWACO Trust, Cde Garikai Togarepi weighed in and said Zimbabwe must ensure the maintenance of shrines both in Zimbabwe and foreign lands.
“We must not forget that this (Chimoio shrine) is part of the evidence that we have against Rhodesians because this was a genocide,” he said.
“As an organisation comprised of children of war veterans, we are going to do our best to maintain this place.
“In fact, we are going to come and maintain this place in order for the future generations to see the true colours of Rhodesians.”
Govera Secondary School Headmaster, Cosmas Nyakudya said the Chimoio visit would be unforgettable to him and his students and urged other schools to embark on such educational trips.
“When we teach children our Zimbabwean history, it is good for them to visit such places in order for them to understand certain issues,” he said.
“Students in Europe visit their historical places, yet when we do the same, we get criticised.
“These shrines are historical and our country’s history would be incomplete if we don’t talk about Chimoio.”