ZDF to build clinic in Gezani Gen Chiwenga
Gen Chiwenga

Gen Chiwenga

From Tawanda Mangoma in Gezani
Zimbabwe’s defence forces are committed to fulfilling all war time pledges made to communities, which offered various forms of assistance during the liberation war, ZDF Commander Dr Constantino Chiwenga has said. Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony for a clinic, which will be build by the army in Gezani Village under Chief Sengwe, Chiredzi South, yesterday, Dr Chiwenga said a lot of blood was lost in the Gaza Province, which covered areas of Chiredzi, Chivi, Shurugwi and Beitbridge during the war.

Gen Chiwenga had in June last year promised that the army was prepared to honour the role played by headman Gezani during the war of liberation.

“We arrived in this area in August, 1976, I remember visiting Headman Mpapa and Headman Gezani, who helped us as we expanded our operations in the war of liberation. There was base Mukaradhi here. We operated there with the late General Mujuru, who was our chief of operations. It was a difficult time, but we managed to pull through due to the community’s support,” he said. Gen Chiwenga said Gaza Province afforded the freedom fighters a smooth corridor in which they smuggled weapons into the country from Mozambique.

“I am delighted that you are back to your land, which you have been displaced and send to keeps due to the war. Chief Gezani played a very critical role during the war, helping us in the recruitment of boys and girls whom we trained and named them the militia,” he said. Gen Chiwenga said there was no food in the area as fields had been destroyed by the colonial government.

“The boys and girls we had were committed to the cause,” he said. “They had to walk to Espunga Beira and Mapayi in Mozambique to collect guns, which we distributed across the country for the revolution to carry on.” Gen Chiwenga took the opportunity to pass his condolences to the Gezani family on the death of Headman Gezani, born Dumela Dumezulu, who died in 1992. Headman Gezani’s son, who took over, also died in April this year. General Chiwenga said Chief Gezani’s death was painful, as he had been bitten by dogs set on him by colonialists for refusing to divulge the whereabouts of some freedom fighters.

“You made two main requests, one, for us to construct a clinic and the need to have mobile networks in this area. I had to recall your contribution during the war and I then saw it fit to have a hospital constructed in this area. I know Headman Gezani is no longer with us, but he would be pleased to see these developments taking place in his area,” he said.

The ZDF partnered Old Mutual, National Aids Council and NetOne in the construction of the hospital, drilling two boreholes and mobile network boosters. The partnership will also see the rehabilitation of a classroom block which was destroyed by the El Nino-induced floods at Gezani Primary School. The ZDF will also build a classroom block and toilets at the school.Chief Sengwe thanked the army for fulfilling its war time pledges.

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