President Mnangagwa, ZNLWVA and nation mourn Cde Luke Mushore

President Mnangagwa, members of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA), and the nation at large mourned the demise of Cde Luke Mushore and described his passing as a huge blow to the country, his family and the fraternity of Liberation War Veterans.

Addressing mourners at his burial at the National Heroes yesterday. President Mnangagwa said Cde Mushore whose Chimurenga name was ‘Cde Dick Joboringo’, was a dependable cadre and pillar who diligently aided both the work of the ZANU PF Party and Government with distinguished honour and sacrifice.

“He served as ZANU PF Chairman for Mashonaland Central Province and was a servant of the people, who was unflinchingly loyal to our country. The patriotism, consistency, and persistence, that our national hero demonstrated, during his service to our revolutionary mass Party, ZANU PF, and in other various national capacities, is worthy of emulation by generations to come,” President Mnangagwa said.

The late “Cde Dick Joboringo’s” political activism started at Bernard Mzeki College in Marondera, where he was expelled as a student in 1966 after protests against racist and discriminatory colonial policies. He briefly worked in Chiweshe, alongside other youths, where they were mobilized by the firebrand Chief Chiweshe to carry out revolutionary acts of sabotage on tobacco farms belonging to racist Rhodesian farmers.

Subsequent hot pursuits, surveillance, and arrests by the colonial authorities forced the late Cde Mushore to flee to the Muzarabani Area. During that period, he joined a unit of early guerrilla fighters led by two national heroes, the late General, Solomon Mujuru, and Cde Vhuu. He proceeded, with other youths to Chifombo in Zambia, before undergoing military training at Mgagao in Tanzania.

After his training, ‘Cde Dick Joboringo’ was among an early crop of ZANLA fighters who fought alongside FRELIMO guerillas to open routes to Zimbabwe. His group was commanded by the late national heroes Cde Vhuu and Cde Badza. These early groups of liberation fighters laid the groundwork and preparatory mobilization for the protracted and all-out war phase, of the liberation struggle. This was in response to the challenges encountered during the initial stages of the quest to dislodge the brutal colonial regime.

His operational zone covered the vast area comprising three districts – Centenary, Guruve, and Mt Darwin. He was part of the fearless fighters who had their first engagement with the Rhodesian Army at PaMauswa in December 1972. As Section Commander, the late national hero led groups into countless battles, including the famous Chahwanda Battle, which saw a whole section of Rhodesian Grey Scouts being defeated.

Later, the group, which was commanded by the late ‘Cde Joboringo’, was captured and transferred to Mozambique by Gerald Hawksworth, who was a land development officer. This was a sensational wartime development, which became an instant international headline story.

This act projected ZANLA as a compassionate and disciplined Liberation Army, whose conduct adhered to the principles of the Geneva Convention. The ‘appendage of the colonial establishment,’ Gerald Hawksworth was released unharmed and in good health just before the inaugural 1980 General Elections, which ushered in our Independence.

In recognition of his gallant wartime exploits, including successfully opening up the difficult war zones and the farming area of Chesa in Mt Darwin, the late national hero, ‘Cde Dick Joboringo’ was promoted to become Detachment Commander.

As one of ZANLA’s prominent field commanders, the late national hero opened many other new fronts, including that stretching from Mutoko to Mutare. He was on the frontline and never went back to the rear, even during the détente period.

He rose to become a member of the General Staff, a role he played while still operating on the front lines, and remained active in his area of deployment until 1980.

Following Zimbabwe’s independence, Cde Mushore briefly joined the Police Force before resigning due to family commitments.