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Patrick Chitumba Midlands Bureau Chief
THE Midlands Province yesterday bade farewell to liberation war hero Cde Phillimon Pindai Mhara, who was buried at Gweru Provincial Heroes Acre.

Cde Mhara (64) died in Kwekwe after a short illness.

Addressing mourners, Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs Larry Mavima urged them to draw inspiration and unity of purpose from the late Cde Mhara.

He said Cde Mhara was humble, a man of unity, a father and grandfather.

“Allow me to express my heartfelt condolences to the Mhara family, in particular his wife, children and relatives on the tragic death of Cde Phillimon Pindai Mhara,” said Minister Mavima.

“As we bid farewell to this hero, I want to challenge us all to draw inspiration and unity of purpose, simplicity, humility and comradeship from this late cadre whose feet rested firmly on the concrete grounds in terms of vision and correctness in both Government and party activities.”

Minister Mavima said Government will always honour and cherish heroes and heroines of the liberation struggle who fought fearlessly to overcome the racist colonial regime.

“Today we are gathered at the provincial shrine as we continue to honour heroes and heroines of the liberation struggle, the gallant sons and daughters of Zimbabwe who fought fearlessly to dislodge the colonial regime,” he said.

“We are burying Cde Mhara two weeks after we bade farewell to heroine, the late Cde Kate Catherine Gaza, at her homestead at Chikwingwizha, Shurugwi, and the national hero Cde Dumiso Dabengwa in Ntabazinduna, Bubi District, last Saturday.

“Indeed, we are paying our last respects to one of the gallant sons of the soil who passed on.”

Minister Mavima said Cde Mhara was born in 1955 in Chipinge District and did his primary education at Makono School and was later employed by Chisumbanje Estate in 1975.

He also worked for Rhodesia Sugar Refineries. In 1976, he joined the liberation struggle in Mozambique.

He went through Chitewekwete, Espunga Beira and Doroi.

At Doroi, he worked for the security department and in 1977, he went to Chimoio for military training and then went back to Doroi after Chimoio battle.

Cde Mhara was transferred from Doroi to Chimoio as company security.

During the second attack at Chimoio, he was injured.

At ceasefire, he was at Mtandambwe Assembly Point. In 1981, he was attested into the Zimbabwe National Army and posted to 4.7 Infantry Battalion and later to 1 Air Defence Regiment at Redcliff.

He was awarded various medals and retired from the army in 2000, holding the rank of Staff Sergeant.