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converged at Rudhaka Stadium in Marondera and Neshangwe Secondary Sc-hool in Chivhu as the province bade farewell to one of Zimbabwe’s most illustrious sons.
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Gen 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 that lay in state at the family’s Chisipite home 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.
Director for urban communication services in the Ministry of Media, Information and Publicity Retired Major Anywhere 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 durawall 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.
Gen Mujuru’s brother Cde Joel Mujuru led the proceedings attended mainly by family members and Government officials.
Cde Mujuru appealed to the family to remain united and avoid being influenced by reports speculating on causes of his brother’s death.
“I have read a lot of stories about my young brother’s death but we as a family should remain united and avoid being influenced by such baseless speculations,” he said.
Cde Mujuru said the family would be happy to see Gen Mujuru buried in peace.
At Rudhaka Stadium, Cabinet ministers were joined by party leaders, the business community and Zimbabweans in general to honour the national hero.
A sombre atmosphere engulfed the stadium as the remains of the national hero arrived in the afternoon from his rural home in Chikomba.
“General Mujuru’s death has left us all in a state of shock. We cannot believe that he died in such circumstances. He was such a generous person who preached peace and unity and to him we say rest in peace,” said Ms Stabia Mabhanga of Cherutombo, Marondera.
Mr Hlangabezo Sikochi of Nyameni said Gen Mujuru inspired a lot of youths with his heroic track record.
“As a youth, I am shocked that he is no more. General Mujuru was a unifier and did not segregate despite all his achievements and status. He was an inspiration to us all and we believe as Zanu-PF we are all the poorer with his death,” he said.
Mrs Angela Chihuri, a member of the Salvation Army from Rusike Phase 2, expressed shock at Gen Mujuru’s death, while Wellington Mudzamiri from Rujeko, said the void he left would be difficult to fill.
“I am from Rujeko and also Chikomba and I cannot express how difficult it will be for us to find someone who will fit into his shoes. He was such a humble person who always led from the front and was not ambitious to fight for leadership positions,” he said.
Speaker after speaker at Rudhaka Stadium spoke glowingly of Gen Mujuru’s heroics during the war and after independence.
Gen Chiwenga implored youths to follow Gen Mujuru’s footsteps.
“When he joined the war he was around 22-years-old and fired the first bullets when he was around 27-years-old.
“You should ask yourselves as 22 and 27-year-olds what you are doing for the country. He got into a lot of life threatening scenarios during the struggle until Zimbabwe became free.
“Now that we are free, we should all strive to safeguard that freedom and our heritage because this is the only country that we have. The fallen heroes and General Mujuru should not turn in their graves because we are returning the country to our former oppressors,” he said.
Zanu-PF Mashonaland East provincial chairman Cde Ray Kaukonde urged party supporters to be united and regain seats lost during the 2008 harmonised elections in honour of Gen Mujuru.
“General Mujuru’s death should strengthen us all as a party and as a way to honour him, we should regain the four seats we lost in the past election. General Mujuru wanted unity and development for the country and that is what we should all strive to achieve,” he said.
Zanu-PF Women’s League political commissar Cde Olivia Muchena said Gen Mujuru was an open person who spoke his mind.
She said his wise counsel would be missed.
“He was an open person and we used to call him Mafirakureva. He always spoke his mind no matter how hard it would hurt.
“He believed that honesty was necessary for the survival of the party,” she said.
Cde Sekeramayi commended Gen Mujuru’s humble nature.
“Even when we were in Mozambique, he motivated the guerrillas to continue fighting despite the numerous hardships that we faced. After independence he played a pivotal role in integrating the army and even when he retired did not seek higher office but was humble to just be an MP for Chikomba,” Cde Sekeramayi said.
He, however, said the nature of Gen Mujuru’s death was painful given his heroics during the war and all he achieved in his life.
Addressing mourners at Neshangwe Secondary School, Cde Sekeramayi said Zimbabweans should be guided by Gen Mujuru’s legacy to work for the development of the country.
“Rex Nhongo has died but it is his death and the way he died that is really painful. It was however God’s will that he died that way.
“When he was chief of operations he stayed loyal to his principles and even during the days when the going was tough he stayed loyal to his leaders especially in the struggle for independence.
“He continued to work well within the party structures especially when he retired from the army and joined party politics where he offered guidance as a Politburo member and during our provincial meetings,” Cde Sekeramayi said.
“It was Rex’s will that we exploit our God-given natural resources for Zimbabwe’s development. It was for that reason that he fought for the country’s independence and it is that legacy we should carry on so that Zimbabwe benefits from its hard won independence,” he said.
Zimbabweans, he said, should remain united in the face of external interference.
General Chiwenga chronicled Cde Mujuru’s efforts during the liberation struggle saying he was a strong character who remained committed to the struggle.
“We are in pain as his death was a difficult death. We however, would want to celebrate General Mujuru’s life, achievements and work during the struggle and after independence.
“From the time he joined the struggle in 1968, he remained committed to freeing his country. There were difficult times especially when traitors like Nhari and Badza sold out but Gen Mujuru remained resolutely behind the struggle,” he said.
Gen Chiwenga said members of the armed forces learnt a lot of lessons from Gen Mujuru.
“There is however need for us to continue defending Zimbabwe’s sovereignty. There are people who could betray the legacy but we will continue to defend Zimbabwe since it came through a protracted struggle.”
Online Reporter