Colonel (Retired) Tshinga Dube, a senior ZANU PF Politburo member and former Cabinet Minister, has passed away at 83.
His son, Vusa Dube, confirmed that he died from kidney failure at Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo on October 3.
Though he had battled illness for a decade, his passing still came as a shock to the family. “We have lost a pillar of strength,” said Vusa Dube.
Born on July 3, 1941, in Matobo District, Dube became involved in the liberation struggle early on, joining in the 1960s.
He received guerrilla training in the Soviet Union and China in 1972 and rose to prominence within the Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA), particularly in arms procurement.
ALSO READ : Sonja, the ex-wife of Wicknell Chivayo, Reveals her Preferred Lula Lula Position
During the liberation war, Dube, known by the nom de guerre “Cde Embassy,” was among the first fighters deployed in Matabeleland North.
His unit contributed to the Wankie Battles, a significant joint operation involving ZAPU and ANC fighters.
As a military communications expert, Dube worked alongside key figures such as Cain Mathema and ANC fighters like Walter Mavuso. He took part in numerous notable engagements, including the Madliwa battle along the Zambezi River.
After the ceasefire, Dube was appointed to a committee overseeing the integration of combatants into the new Zimbabwe National Army. He represented ZIPRA on the committee, working with members from ZANLA and the Rhodesian Army. He eventually became the head of the army’s signals department and attained the rank of Colonel.
After serving in the military for a decade, Dube moved to the Defence Headquarters, later leading the Zimbabwe Defence Industries for over two decades. His political career included representing Makokoba constituency and serving as Minister of War Veterans in 2015. He also authored a memoir, “Quiet Flows the Zambezi.”
He is survived by his wife, Nomathemba Wendy Dube, and his children and grandchildren.
ALSO READ : WATCH- Robbers Looting Cash from ECOBANK in Bulawayo
