Chiredzi, Zimbabwe – A chilling discovery has been made in Chiredzi’s Hippo Valley, where miners working at the disused Dreamgate Mine have unearthed human remains alongside a cache of weapons and ammunition, according to state media reports.
Government Information Ministry Permanent Secretary Nick Mangwana confirmed the find, stating that initial assessments suggest the remains could belong to liberation war fighters who operated in the region during Zimbabwe’s 1970s struggle for independence. Authorities are treating the site as both a historical and forensic scene, with security agencies cordoning off the area to preserve evidence.
Forensic experts from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and the National Museums and Monuments Department have reportedly been dispatched to the site to conduct detailed examinations. Ballistics teams will also analyse the recovered firearms to determine their origin and age.
Local historians note that Chiredzi’s Hippo Valley was a known corridor for guerrilla fighters during the liberation war, raising the likelihood that the site may have served as a wartime hideout or weapons cache.
Mangwana said government officials are collaborating with the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission to ensure that any identified remains are accorded appropriate national remembrance, adding that DNA testing may be undertaken to assist in identifying the deceased.
Residents of the surrounding communities have expressed a mix of shock and sombre reflection. “It’s painful but also important for our history. These fighters gave their lives for independence, and their story must be preserved,” said local elder Josephine Mavhunga.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has urged patience as investigations continue, emphasising that the discovery underscores the need to document and protect the country’s liberation heritage. Further updates are expected once forensic teams complete their preliminary report.
