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The Herald, August 20, 2011
GENERAL Solomon Mujuru who died in an inferno at his Alamein Farm in Beatrice on Tuesday morning, will be buried today at the National Heroes Acre. President Mugabe will lead thousands of mourners to the national shrine for the burial of Gen Mujuru.
The remains lay in state at the family’s Chisipite home and will this morning leave for Stodart Hall in Mbare en-route to the final resting place.
Members of the public who wish to use their vehicles to go to the burial have been advised to park their vehicles at the National Sports Stadium.
The director for urban communication services in the Ministry of Media, Information and Publicity, Retired Major Anyway Mutambudzi, yesterday said parking space at the national shrine would not be enough.
“Due to the envisaged traffic congestion at the Heroes Acre on Saturday 20 August 2011, the heroes burial security subcommittee is requesting that all people who will use their private vehicles to come to the National Heroes Acre for the burial of the late General Solomon Mujuru, should park their vehicles in the precast wall of the National Sports Stadium and walk across to the Heroes Acre. There will be more than enough security for their vehicles and crossing points,” he said.
In Mashonaland East, Cabinet ministers and the Zanu-PF provincial leadership joined a capacity crowd at Rudhaka Stadium as Zimbabwe mourned a shrewd military commander who dedicated his life to serving his country.
Gen Mujuru’s remains were yesterday flown to Sadza Growth Point near his rural home in Chikomba district. Hundreds of villagers from the district braved the chilly weather and waited patiently at Neshangwe Secondary School to bid farewell to their gallant son.
His remains arrived aboard an Air Force of Zimbabwe helicopter at 10am at Sadza Growth Point. They were accompanied by his widow, Vice President Joice Mujuru, daughter Kumbirai, State Security Minister Sydney Sekeramayi, Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development Minister Olivia Muchena, Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Constantine Chiwenga, Air Force of Zimbabwe Commander Air Marshal Perrance Shiri, senior Government and party officials. The remains were then taken to the family graveyard at Mutusva Village for rituals.
The casket, draped in the national flag, was laid next to the graves of General Mujuru’s father and mother.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
• General Mujuru whose nom de gurre was Cde Rex Nhongo was a highly decorated commander of the liberation struggle and post-independent Zimbabwe. His heroic track record has been immortalised.
• He joined the liberation struggle in 1968 and like other gallant sons and daughters of the soil, he remained committed to the ideals of freeing Zimbabwe from colonial bondage.
• This week marks 10 years since his tragic demise. His death shocked the nation. As a result, a capacity crowd went to the National Heroes Acre to give him a befitting him send-off.
• Like other icons of the liberation struggle, Gen Mujuru wrote his chapter in the history of Zimbabwe.
• The sun is setting on most liberation fighters. What lessons are today and tomorrow’s generations learning from them? Will they be determined to safeguard the hard worn freedom and heritage, since Zimbabwe is the only country, they call home?
Online Reporter