The ZPRA Veterans Association has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Retired Colonel Tshinga Judge Dube, who died before the resolution of the long-standing issue surrounding the return of their confiscated properties.
Dube passed away on Thursday evening at the age of 83 due to kidney failure.
For the former ZPRA fighters, Dube’s commitment to their cause stands as a powerful reminder of the long and painful journey they continue to face in their fight for the return of their assets.
Dube, known for his straightforward and sometimes critical views within Zanu PF, had become actively involved in advocating for the return of these properties seized by the government in the 1980s, a vital issue for the economic empowerment of ZPRA veterans.
In 2023, Dube presided over a meeting for former ZPRA fighters in Bulawayo where he claimed that Vice President Kembo Mohadi had tasked him with handling the return of the properties.
During that meeting, a substantive committee was selected to engage the government over the seized assets, a committee later elevated into the NITRAM Board, chaired by Volta Ekem Moyo.
However, despite the formation of the NITRAM Board and ongoing efforts, the return of these properties has remained an emotional and contentious issue with the ZPRA Veterans Association repeatedly voicing concerns over the handling of the process, with many questioning the motives and delays involved.
In an interview with CITE, ZPRA Veterans Association Vice Chairperson, Grace Noko, expressed her disappointment that Dube had passed away before the matter was concluded.
“It’s painful that he has gone while we are still fighting for our properties. I remember when the properties committee was selected in 2023 and there were concerns raised about the board’s legitimacy, but Dube insisted we follow his lead, as it was the instruction from his superiors. He believed that forming this committee would help us finally resolve the issue,” Noko said.
“One of my colleagues, after Dube said he was sent by the presidium to facilitate this process, expressed discontent about the board since there was an existing board. Dube then met with me and asked why I had opposed him. I told him it was not me who opposed but noted we had to tell the truth because if we were to have another board when already we had another one it would cause problems. Dube said, ‘you people don’t see what is happening. We want to fix this issue of properties and this is a way of doing so.”
Noko further highlighted Dube’s commitment to the cause, despite the internal conflicts within the ZPRA community over how to approach the government.
“Dube always stood up for us. Even though we didn’t always agree, he knew the truth, and he represented us when we needed him,” Noko said.
“We lived with Dube, we know him during the days of the struggle outside the country up to today. Yes there were mistakes here and there, we would not agree or understand each other but the truth is Tshinga knew the truth.”
She added: “Dube was one of our leaders who commanded us. It can be seen that our commanders are dying which is painful. As ZPRA we acknowledge there should be things that should have been done for other combatants.”
With Dube’s passing, the vice chair of the ZPRA veterans association, hoped that the former fighters would not face renewed challenges in their fight for the return of their properties.
“We will continue to fight for what is rightfully ours. Tshinga may be gone, but the fight for the return of our properties will go on,” Noko said.
ZPRA properties were confiscated by the government in 1982 and later transferred to the President in 1987.
NITRAM Private Limited, the investment vehicle established by ZPRA fighters, was funded through joint contributions from veterans, each donating $50 from their demobilisation payouts after Zimbabwe’s independence.
While the NITRAM Board has expressed optimism about the return of the properties, having identified around 100 assets so far, concerns remain over the pace and transparency of the process.
Some veterans have questioned the true intentions behind the initiative, accusing the NITRAM Board of positioning itself as the owners of the seized assets rather than advocating for their return to the ZPRA veterans.
ZAPU Secretary General Mthulisi Hanana also added his voice in the matter, acknowledging Dube’s efforts but pointing out that he struggled to navigate the conflicting interests of Zanu PF and the former ZPRA veterans.
“Dube’s legacy is of good and everything but just like all of us Dube had his flaws and these are just some of his glaring flaws, simply for the fact that he opted to try and justify the comfort that he was enjoying from Zanu PF by fighting from within and also the fact that he has failed to deal with the issue of ZAPU and ZPRA properties,” Hanana said.
“This is where Dube could not stand on principle but tried to be in the middle and not disappoint veterans but give them hope and at the same time not give them their properties so that it doesn’t annoy his Zanu PF masters.”
