Online Reporter
Walter Nyamukondiwa in HURUNGWE
The body of the late national hero Air Commodore (Retired) Simon Brian Bere has been airlifted from his Ansdale Farm to Charles Gumbo Barracks in Harare ahead of burial tomorrow.
President Mnangagwa is expected to lead the burial proceedings.
The Hurungwe community gathered at Tavoyi Primary School grounds where the helicopter was waiting.
Cries of “Vaenda Mhazi” could be heard as the helicopter prepared for take-off.
Mashonaland West Provincial Secretary Mr Josphat Jaji said the family and Hurungwe community had been given a chance to mourn and give a befitting send-off to the late war veteran and air service man.
“We received the body at Gudhure Village in Zvimonja, Hurungwe, where it spent more than two hours before it was airlifted to Ansdale Farm,” said Mr Jaji.
“The body is now off to Charles Gumbo Barracks ahead of burial tomorrow.”
At least nine buses have been provided to ferry mourners to the National Heroes Acre.
The community, including Hurungwe West legislator Cde Chinjai Kambuzuma, thanked President Mnangagwa.
“We thank the President for conferring national hero status on Cde Bere,” said Cde Kambuzuma.
“We thank the Government for providing the buses, we want everyone to go to the National Heroes Acre to give him a befitting send-off.”
War veteran Cde Elizabeth Nzombe described the late national hero as a humble man.
“He humbly carried himself. Most people never knew he was a senior person because of the way he carried himself,” she said.
