Online Reporter
Joseph Madzimure
Zimpapers Politics Hub
THE Permanent Secretary for Harare Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Cosmas Chiringa, who died at West End Hospital in the capital on Monday, has been declared a national hero.
Cde Chiringa, a veteran of the liberation struggle, succumbed to heart failure.
He was 67.
Zanu PF Secretary for Education, Ideology and Research and Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Province Charles Tawengwa announced the hero status to the Chiringa family at their home in Newlands suburb last night.
“After consultations with his Politburo members, President Mnangagwa, who is the First Secretary of the party, has conferred national hero status on the late Cde Chiringa,” said Minister Tawengwa.
He described him as a distinguished public servant and nation builder.
Minister Tawengwa said Cde Chiringa was a committed son of the soil who contributed immensely to the liberation of Zimbabwe.
“He was a seasoned public administrator and servant of the people of Zimbabwe.
“He dedicated his life to the struggle for national independence, post-independence and public service,” said Minister Tawengwa.
Zanu PF Harare provincial chairman Godwills Masimirembwa, who accompanied Minister Tawengwa to the Chiringa family, described the late national hero as a committed servant of the people.
“He organised Government programmes in Harare. He relayed messages to us about party and Government programmes. We have lost a dedicated cadre who was committed to the development of the country,” said Cde Masimirembwa.
His close friend, Zanu PF Secretary for Economic Affairs Cde Andy Mhlanga, said they trained together in Mozambique.
“We were together in Mozambique during the liberation struggle. We operated in different provinces, but we met soon after independence,” he said.
Cde Mhlanga said the national hero was up to the task in Harare.
“He championed a number of developmental programmes in Harare,” he said.
Cde Chiringa was a humble, results-oriented person who was dedicated to his work.
His daughter, Kudakwashe, commended President Mnangagwa and the entire Zanu PF leadership for conferring his father with national hero status.
“We appreciate the conferment of national hero status on our father. We are very happy as a family that the role played by our father towards the development of Zimbabwe has been recognised,” she said.
Cde Chiringa was born on December 10, 1960.
He is survived by his wife, four children and six grandchildren.
Burial arrangements will be announced in due course.
Mourners are gathered at No 32, Victoria Road, Newlands, Harare.
