GOVERNMENT plans to set up a liberation heritage site in Zambia in an area where Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (ZPRA) combatants operated from during the war of liberation.
This emerged during a visit by Vice-President Kembo Mohadi to Mkushi Girls Camp in Kabwe, Zambia, one of the key ZPRA training bases during Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle.
The camp, which was established in 1977 to train young female freedom fighters, was bombed by Rhodesian forces on October 19, 1978, resulting in the death of nearly 1 000 people.
The site contains 11 mass graves, along with bullet cartridges, bones and remains of bunkers and training facilities.
During the visit, Mohadi emphasised the need to preserve historical sites.
“This is sacred ground. It is not only part of Zimbabwe’s history but also a reflection of the strong support we received from our Zambian brothers and sisters,” he said.
“The comrades who trained and died here secured our political freedom. It is now our duty to achieve economic freedom. We must use our resources to develop our nation and uplift our people,” he said.
During the tour, Chief Khanyensha handed over the land where the camp is located to the government of Zimbabwe for conservation and educational purposes.
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“We are entrusting this area to Zimbabwe so that future generations can come and learn. No trees must be cut, and the site must be protected. This is our shared history,” he said.
Mohadi said plans were underway to preserve the area as a liberation heritage site, in line with efforts to document and promote liberation history in the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) region.
ZPRA, the military wing of the Zapu, conducted several operations in Sadc countries during the liberation war.
Zambia was the primary base for ZPRA's external operations, while Angola became a critical training and operational hub with support from the then Soviet Union.
Last week, Mohadi was in Angola where he said there were plans to build a monument at the place hundreds of fallen ZPRA combatants are buried in mass graves.
