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Colonel Tshinga Dube, Respected War Veteran, Dies at 83

Colonel (Retired) Tshinga Dube, a prominent member of the ZANU PF Politburo and former Cabinet Minister, has passed away at the age of 83.

His son, Vusa Dube, confirmed to the Chronicle that Dube died from kidney failure. He died at Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo on Thursday, October 3.

“He has been unwell for the past ten years. But his death came as a shock to us as a family. We mourn his passing; we have lost a pillar of strength.”

Dube was born on July 3, 1941, in Fort Usher, Matobo District, Matabeleland South. He became politically active in his youth by joining the liberation movement in the 1960s.

In 1972, he trained as a guerrilla fighter in the Soviet Union and China, quickly rising to prominence within the Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) during the liberation struggle.

Dube played a crucial role in arms procurement for ZIPRA. He facilitated the shipment of weapons during Zimbabwe’s fight against colonial rule.

Known as Cde Embassy, he became one of the first guerrillas deployed to the frontlines in the Tsholotsho District of Matabeleland North. He laid the groundwork for the Wankie Battles, a joint operation with ZAPU and ANC fighters.

Following the ceasefire, he joined a committee responsible for the integration and formation of the Zimbabwe National Army. He later became the commander of the signals department and attained the rank of Colonel.

Dube served ten years in the army before transitioning to the Zimbabwe Defence Industries (ZDI), where he worked for 23 years.

In politics, he served as the Member of Parliament for Makokoba and was appointed Minister of War Veterans in 2015. He leaves behind his wife, Nomathemba Wendy Dube, along with several children and grandchildren.

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