Cio boss Chirinda buried

Walter Nyamukondiwa in Lions Den
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s concern for ailing opposition leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai reflects the true Zimbabwean spirit, a top Government official has said.

At the burial of provincial hero and Central Intelligence Organisation deputy director Cde Nixon Chirinda in Lions Den yesterday, Special Advisor to the President Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa said politicians could relate without animosity despite their divergent ideological leanings.

“The gesture by the President showed the true Zimbabwean spirit. Most people think that when people get into politics they are now enemies,” said Ambassador Mutsvangwa.

“But the President, seeing that Mr Tsvangirai has a history as an opposition leader in accordance with the Constitution and is a former Prime Minister of the country, saw it fit to visit. That is the Zimbabwean spirit that we want, which shows that in happiness and in times of trouble, we are together.”

Cde Chirinda was buried with full military honours, including a 21-gun salute, before hundreds of people from all walks of life.

Cde Chirinda died at the 117km-peg along the Harare-Chirundu Highway last week when his Toyota Land Cruiser vehicle rammed into a haulage truck.

He is survived by four children.

The burial was attended by the Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs Minister Webster Shamu, Ambassador Boniface Chidyausiku, Zanu-PF National Chairperson Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Manicaland Provincial Affairs Minister Monica Mutsvangwa, Midlands Provincial Affairs Minister Owen Ncube, CIO deputy director-general Cde Aaron Nhepera and other high-ranking party and Government officials.