CHIPINGE – Authorities in Chipinge South have confirmed the exhumation of human remains believed to be those of seven fighters from Zimbabwe’s Second Chimurenga, discovered in an abandoned mine shaft once used by Rhodesian forces as a torture and execution site during the liberation struggle.
The Mutandahwe area mine, which ceased operations in the 1970s under the management of mining giant Rio Tinto, has recently been revived by Chinese investors. The new operators are currently extracting manganese and gold, but locals say the mine has long been haunted by its bloody past — a place where captured freedom fighters were allegedly killed and their bodies dumped underground.
Chipinge District Development Coordinator, Mr William Mashava, confirmed that the remains were found by the new mining company during excavation works. He said the discovery immediately triggered the involvement of heritage and veterans’ organisations.
“The process is being carried out in Mutandahwe area in Chipinge South. The mine was closed during the 1970s and is now being worked by Chinese investors reportedly mining copper,” Mr Mashava explained. “During the course of their operations, they came across the remains, and we were alerted. We referred the matter to forensic experts from the Department of Museums and National Monuments, who confirmed the presence of human remains. So far, seven sets of remains have been recovered.”
Local accounts suggest that there could be more remains in other sealed shafts that have yet to be reopened. Villagers say the mine’s wartime role as a dumping ground for liberation fighters means further discoveries are likely as mining expands.
Remains of Seven Suspected Liberation War Fighters Exhumed from Chipinge Mine
According to Mr Mashava, the community has requested that the remains be reburied in the area, creating a local heroes’ acre as a permanent memorial. Authorities have granted this request.
“The remains in Chipinge mine are believed to be those of fighters who fell during the liberation war. One combatant has been spiritually identified as Sibanda from Chiredzi, and efforts are ongoing to trace his family,” he said.
The mining operation also uncovered explosives believed to be from the war era. The Zimbabwe National Army was called in to safely dispose of the ordnance.
While government officials moved swiftly to secure and identify the remains, the discovery has sparked tensions between the mining company and local traditional leaders.
Chief Garahwa, the traditional authority for the Mutandahwe area, said he was neither consulted about the mining operations nor the exhumations, and accused the investors of disrespecting Ndau cultural practices.
“Yes, there are remains of people being exhumed from a mine in Mutandahwe,” he said. “But I do not have much information because those carrying out the exercise have not engaged me. In our tradition, whenever something of this magnitude happens in our land, traditional leadership must be informed first.”
Chief Garahwa said he had previously advised the investors on cultural protocols, but they proceeded without following them. “They went on to exhume the remains without my knowledge, and no traditional rituals were performed. This is a serious breach of the Ndau culture. It is in the best interest of both the community and the investors that such matters are handled respectfully.”
The mine’s wartime history is well known among locals. Many older residents recall stories from the 1970s of captured guerrillas being brought to the site, tortured, and thrown into the shafts. For families who lost loved ones in the liberation struggle and never recovered their bodies, the discovery has stirred both grief and hope for closure.
Villagers in Chipinge are now urging authorities to conduct a comprehensive search of all mine shafts in the area before mining operations resume fully. Some fear that if operations proceed without proper investigation, more remains could be destroyed or lost.
The Fallen Heroes Trust of Zimbabwe, which works to recover and honour the remains of liberation fighters, has been engaged to assist in further searches and to ensure that burials are conducted with dignity.
Mr Mashava acknowledged that there had been shortcomings in initial communication with the community, including traditional leaders. He said these gaps were now being addressed. “Initially, the traditional leadership was not engaged, but following our intervention, steps are being taken to ensure all key stakeholders are aware and involved in the process,” he said.
As the exhumations continue, the Mutandahwe discovery has become a poignant reminder of the brutal history of the liberation struggle and the unfinished work of honouring those who gave their lives. For the people of Chipinge South, the mine is no longer just a site of economic interest but also a place of remembrance — where the past demands recognition before the land can be worked again.
Source- Herald
