Harare — Four men based in Mount Darwin have established a research group called "Taurai Zvehondo-Unveiling the other face of Second Chimurenga" whose objective is to record all the information on the war with particular attention to Mount Darwin District.

The men are appealing for assistance to help them carry out their research.

The research, which started in May last year, is premised on the understanding that the Second Chimurenga forms an indispensable part of the country's history and should not be allowed to sink into oblivion.

The project is also conscious of the fact that several Zimbabweans contributed to the struggle but their efforts remain unrecorded.

These should be recorded for the benefit of future generations.

Through personal means, the project has so far recorded the history of both dead and living combatants in Mount Darwin District and making site visits to some areas in the district.

Project treasurer, Cde Edson Jakarasi, a former banker and a researcher, said the thrust of the programme was to collect all the available information about the Second Chimurenga from individual experiences of the ordinary people involved directly or indirectly.

"We are collecting all information relating to the Second Chimurenga from different sources and compiling the information and produce text volumes and audio tapes. We are also looking at creating a resource centre in Mt Darwin that includes a museum and a library where such information shall be stored and made accessible to the public," said Cde Jakarasi.

Plans were underway to build a statue that clearly identifies Mount Darwin as a war town as well as preserve all sites identified as being of historical significance.