LIVE BLOG: LT GEN CHIMONYO, CDE CHAKABVA BURIAL

Source: LIVE BLOG: LT GEN CHIMONYO, CDE CHAKABVA BURIAL | The Herald

1245: The bodies of the national heroes are now being taken to their final resting place. That concludes our updates, thank you for joining us.

1239: The President concludes his speech by acknowledging the progress that is being made in the national vaccination programme.

1238: President Mnangagwa noted that the Covid-19 pandemic is still with us and urged the nation to follow religiously the laid down health and lockdown measures.

1235: President Mnangagwa says that the sacrifice made by the departed liberation heroes should never be forgotten.

1220: The President says Lt Gen Chimonyo was the epitome of a trusted Commander who was always reliable. He says the Zimbabwe National Army remained a highly disciplined and skilled force during the tenure of Lt Gen Chimonyo.

1215: President Mnangagwa also narrated Cde Vhuu’s contributions to the country saying that the late liberation stalwart was trained at Morogoro adding that Cde Vhuu participated in the Chifombo battle. The liberation hero was also involved in the movement of arms to aid the liberation struggle.

“Cde Vhuu was always at the forefront of the liberation struggle. Cde Vhuu’s contribution and exploits on the battlefront inspired many young cadres to join the liberation struggle,” says President Mnangagwa

1211: He narrates Cde Nkiwane’s contribution to the liberation struggle saying that he did underground work including the recruitment of cadres to be trained in Zambia. He also smuggled weapons from Tanzania to be used by liberation fighters in the country.

1206: President Mnangagwa paid tribute to the three late national heroes (Cde Nkiwane, Lt Gen Chimonyo and Cde Chakabva) saying that the three liberation heroes contributed immensely to the liberation of the country.

1200: The President expresses his deepest sympathies to the families who have lost their loved ones.

He says the country is in grief following the death of three liberation stalwarts as well as deaths being witnessed in the country due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

1154: Minister of Home Affairs Kazembe Kazembe is now on the podium. He has invited President Mnangagwa to address the mourners.

1145: Cde Chakabva’s younger brother speaks on the role played by his brother during the liberation struggle. He described as a dedicated cadre thanked President Mnangagwa for recognising him as a national hero.

1118: President Mnangagwa and First Lady Amai Mnangagwa have arrived at the national shrine for the burial of the two liberation stalwarts.

1059: Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has arrived.

1047: Vice President and Second Secretary of Zanu-PF Cde Kembo Mohadi has arrived.

1043: Minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs who is also Zanu-PF National Chairperson Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri has arrived at the national shrine.

1030: All is set for the double burial of national heroes Lt Gen Edzai Absolom Chanyuka Chimonyo and Cde Michael “Vhuu” Chakabva at the national heroes acre.