TWO veterans of the liberation struggle who died in a tragic accident near Kaguvi Training Centre in Gweru last week, have been buried at the Midlands Provincial Heroes Acre.
The late Cde Abias Pelile and Cde Solomon Nhondova died when a Goversberg bus was involved in a head-on collision with a small lorry they were travelling in just outside Gweru, killing them on the spot.
Cde Pelile, whose Chimurenga name was Cde Zvombo Zvehondo, joined the liberation struggle in 1977.
After independence he was attested into the Zimbabwe National Army as a private and rose through the ranks to Warrant Officer Class Two until his retirement in 2006.
Like his counterpart, Cde Nhondova whose Chimurenga name was cde Garikai MuZANU joined the liberation struggle in 1977.
At independence, he joined the Zimbabwe National Army as a sergeant and rose through the ranks to become Staff Sergeant until his retirement in 1986.
Relatives and colleagues spoke glowingly about the two’s relationship and legacy.
“I grew up with Cde Pelile. Whatever he would do I used to do the same. This is the only journey he has travelled without informing me. These guys were more than friends as they were now family. They would do everything together, so the loss is for the twins. We have indeed lost.”
“I have been given the mandate to speak on behalf of the Nhondova family, but I would have done an injustice to separate the two as they were like brothers. They were the same family. They were friends who departed at the same time. It’s a double tragedy for both families. They gave us a legacy of togetherness as a people,”
“Our hearts are bleeding as we continue to lose lives. We have lost as a party. They were both involved in the same accident as they were buddies.”
“These were some of the few Cdes who managed to stand firm in support of the legacy of the liberation struggle. Every time we would convene a meeting, they were alive and active in our programmes,” they said.
Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Honourable Owen Ncube says the nation has lost some gallant sons who sacrificed their youth for the liberation of the country.
“To Cde Pelile and Cde Nhondova; today the Midlands Province salutes you as we take great lessons from your commitment, selflessness and sacrifice towards the struggle to define our destiny. Our Cdes fought for the political and later economic empowerment of the black majority during both the Second and Third Chimurenga, symbolically turning bayonets into plough shares after independence.”
The death of the two veterans of the liberation struggle comes at a time when the nation is preparing for the 45th Heroes Day celebrations set for the 11th of next month.
