Staff Reporter
The Harare City Council (HCC) has approved plans to establish a dedicated cemetery for veterans of the country’s liberation struggle, addressing the urgent need for additional burial space as the Provincial Heroes Acre at Warren Hills nears capacity.
A 77-hectare site on the southern outskirts of Harare has been identified for the project, which is a collaboration between the Memories of Zimbabwe’s Armed Struggle Trust (MOZAST) and Watervlei Burial Park.
This initiative is designed to honour the sacrifices of the nation’s freedom fighters.
MOZAST spokesperson, Cde Richard Chirongwe, highlighted the importance of the initiative in preserving the legacy of war veterans.
“We are proud to announce a partnership with Watervlei Burial Park, located just 11 kilometers from Harare’s city centre. As part of this collaboration, Watervlei has reserved a special section, the War Veterans Memorial Garden, to provide dignified burial spaces for these heroes,” said Chirongwe.
Beyond providing burial space, the War Veterans Memorial Garden will include a war museum dedicated to chronicling the history of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle.
“This museum will serve as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by Zimbabwe’s freedom fighters,” said Chirongwe.
The initiative also aims to repatriate and reenter the remains of Zimbabwean freedom fighters buried abroad, with plans to expand the project to Bulawayo and other cities.
Harare City Council spokesperson, Stanley Gama, confirmed that the council had granted a permit for the project, subject to regulatory approvals.
“One of the conditions for the permit is the preparation and approval of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) before any burials can commence,” he said.
This development reflects the country’s commitment to preserving the legacy of its liberation heroes and ensuring their contributions to independence are celebrated for generations to come.
With plans for state-of-the-art facilities and memorials, the War Veterans Memorial Garden will serve as both a dignified resting place and a symbol of national pride.
