Liberation War Hero Wilfred Baleni Buried
By Delicious Mathuthu — Liberation war hero Wilfred Mbuso Baleni has been buried in the Midlands following his death in Gweru on October 17, 2026. Baleni joined the ZIPRA armed struggle after becoming active in nationalist youth politics and later worked in political education, party structures and tourism. He is survived by his wife and five children.
Delicious Mathuthu 
Gweru, Zimbabwe — Liberation war hero, Wilfred Mbuso Baleni, who joined the armed struggle after becoming involved in nationalist youth politics, was buried at the Midlands Provincial Heroes Acre following his death on October 17 at a private hospital in Gweru.
Baleni, who was 72, was accorded liberation hero status by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in recognition of his contribution to Zimbabwe’s independence struggle. He died at Midlands Private Hospital.
Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Owen Ncube, said Baleni’s contribution extended beyond military service to political education, party activities and tourism entrepreneurship.
He said Baleni became politically active after completing secondary school in 1970, joining the African Narional Congress Youth League before being elected district youth organising secretary of ANC Zimbabwe.
His recruitment of young people into the liberation struggle reportedly drew the attention of the Rhodesian Special Branch, prompting him to cross into Botswana before joining the Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA).
Hon. Ncube said Baleni received initial military training in Zambia and was deployed to Rutunza on the Zambezi Front for guerrilla operations.
Baleni was later recalled for further training at Pushkin in the former Soviet Union, where he studied political economy, international relations, sociology and the history of economic and liberation movements.
He subsequently returned to Zambia to teach political education at J.Z. School.
Following the ceasefire, he assembled at a designated assembly point before being demobilised in 1982.
His involvement in politics continued after independence, remaining active in Zanu PF and the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association until his death.
Outside politics, Baleni entered the tourism industry, partnering retired Brigadier-General Ben Matiwanza to establish Lalapanzi Safaris.
Ncube welcomed the conferment of hero status, describing it as recognition of Baleni’s commitment to Zimbabwe’s independence and sovereignty.
Baleni is survived by his wife, Muchaneta Rita Baleni, and five children.
