Online Reporter
Debra Matabvu and Freeman Razemba
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa will tomorrow preside over the burial of national hero Major-General (Rtd) Evaristo Dzihwema at the National Heroes Acre in Harare.
Maj-Gen (Rtd) Dzihwema died on June 25 in India, where he was receiving medical treatment. He was 63.
His body was repatriated to Zimbabwe on July 1. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Ambassador Raphael Faranisi said all was in place for the national hero’s burial tomorrow.
“Preparations are on course and are now at an advanced stage. President Mnangagwa is expected to preside over the burial process of the national hero,” he said. “Buses will be provided to ferry mourners from his home village in Rusape as well as other provinces. These arrangements are being done by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.”
Yesterday, Maj-Gen Dzihwema’s body was taken to his farm in Norton, where relatives, friends and the Mashonaland West province community paid their last respects.
The body returned to Charles Gumbo Barracks before departing for his rural homestead in Kamusoko village, Tanda, Makoni district, where it lay in state.
In a statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage said the body is expected to return to Harare today ahead of burial tomorrow.
“On Sunday, the 5th of July 2026, the late Major-General (Rtd) Evaristo Dzihwema will be flown back to Harare for a church service at St Martin’s Anglican Church in Hatfield,” the statement reads in part.
“Following the service, the body will be taken to his Zimre Park residence at Number 5535, Platinum Road, where it will lie in state ahead of burial.
“Monday, the 6th of July 2026 is the burial day and gates at the National Shrine will be opened at 6am.
“Members of the public are invited to come out in their numbers to give a resounding and befitting send-off to this great son of the soil.”
Maj-Gen (Rtd) Dzihwema joined the liberation struggle in 1978 after being assaulted by Rhodesian Security Forces while travelling to obtain a juvenile registration certificate.
The incident strengthened the young Dzihwema’s resolve to take up arms and join thousands of other young Zimbabweans fighting for the country’s independence.
After undergoing military training in Mozambique, Maj-Gen (Rtd) Dzihwema was deployed to the operational front, where he served alongside several prominent liberation war commanders before Zimbabwe attained independence in 1980.
Following independence, he joined the Zimbabwe National Army and steadily rose through the ranks to become a Major-General, serving in numerous command and staff appointments.
He occupied several strategic positions, including company Brigade Staff Officer, Director of Procurement, Director of Finance and Director-General responsible for personnel within the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF).
Following his retirement from active military service in December 2017, Maj-Gen (Rtd) Dzihwema joined the Ministry of Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment as principal director before later transferring to the Ministry of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs, where he served as chief director until his death.
Some of the accolades he earned during his distinguished career included the Liberation Medal, Independence Medal, Ten-Year Service Medal, Long and Exemplary Service Medal, Mozambique Campaign Medal, Democratic Republic of Congo Medal and the Grand Commander of the Zimbabwe Order of Merit.
Maj-Gen (Retd) Dzihwema is survived by his wife Alice and three sons.
