Zimpapers Logo

Thubelihle Mabhena Chronicle Reporter
A VETERAN of the liberation struggle Cde Ludidi Witness Masoka Nzombani has died. He was 95. A family spokesperson, Norman Mabhena, told Chronicle Cde Nzombani succumbed to a long illness on Wednesday at his homestead in Mbembesi.

Mabhena said Cde Nzombani was a brave and committed cadre of the liberation struggle.

“The country has lost an icon. His name may not be sung but he contributed immensely to liberate the people of Zimbabwe,” he said.

Cde Nzombani was born in 1919 at Mbembesi. He did his primary education at David Livingstone Primary School in the late 1940s.

He went for further education at Makwiro Secondary School in Mashonaland West Province.

After school he was employed as a clerk at Calderwood and Hooves law firm. He joined the African National Congress (ANC) in 1957 and when it was banned he joined the National Democratic Party (ANC).

Cde Nzombani joined the Zimbabwe African People’s Union (Zapu) and was the district chairperson for Mbembesi.

In 1964 when the People’s Caretaker Council (PCC) was banned, he was detained for five years at Gonakudzingwa Restriction Camp.

“Cde Nzombani was in confinement with war liberation heroes like the late Cde Welshman Hadane Mabhena and the late Cde Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo,” said Mabhena.

Cde Nzombani was then transferred to Whawha prison in Gweru where he was imprisoned for one year and six months.

He was transferred back to Gonakudzingwa holding cells, then moved to Marondera holding cells where he stayed for eight months.

“He was only released in 1979 during the Pearce Commission,” said Cde Mabhena.

In 1985, he became a councillor in Mbembesi and worked hard to build and source funds to develop Sojini Secondary School.

Cde Nzombani is survived by wife Christina Kona and 10 children.

Mourners are a gathered at his homestead in Mbembesi where he will be buried tomorrow.