Zimpapers Logo

Lovemore Kadzura Rusape Correspondent
zanu-pf youths have called on Government to declare the Makoni District Heroes’ Acre a national monument, as the place has significant history in relation to the Second Chimurenga.

The heroes’ acre is situated in Magamba area of Rusape where the white settler regime set up a Martial Court and a human execution centre they proudly named “The Butcher”.

There are also several shallow graves where executed freedom fighters, war collaborators and civilians were buried.

The mass graves are the second largest after the Chibondo in Mt Darwin in Mashonaland Central Province. In 2014, an exhumation and reburial of the remains of the heroes was carried out and hundreds of remains were reburied at the site.

Speaking on the sidelines of a clean-up exercise by zanu-pf youths, provincial executive member in the Youth League, Cde Kudzi Madara, said youths had a lot to learn from the Makoni Heroes’ Acre as it was a place where the Rhodesian government showed its brutality to the black people.

He said the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, which is updating its curriculum, should also include the history of Chibondo and Makoni District Heroes’ Acre in its books so that school children were made aware of the sacrifices made by gallant sons and daughters of Zimbabwe during the liberation struggle.

“Considering the rich history associated with this Heroes’ Acre, we call upon Government to declare it a national monument,” said Cde Madara. “This place reminds the whole country of how brutal and evil was Ian Douglas Smith and his regime.

“It also teaches us the youths that there were other youths who died in the war while fighting for this country.”

Added Cde Madara: “This place has a national significance and importance because the people who were killed here are from all over the country. Some were captured while attempting to cross into Mozambique to train as freedom fighters.

“So, we are calling upon the responsible authorities to urgently consider our appeal. We also want this place to be maintained properly”.

Rusape Town Council Ward 2 councillor, Cde Clever Chimuse, hailed the youths for their initiative to spruce up the heroes’ acre.