Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo/Farirai Machivenyika
THE body of the late National Hero, Brigadier-General (Rtd) Samuel Mpabanga, is expected to be ferried to his farm in West Nicholson and his rural home in Mapate Village in Gwanda South today where relatives and friends will gather to pay their last respects.
Brig-Gen Mpabanga died at Gwanda General Hospital on Monday last week after a long illness. He was 69.
President Mnangagwa conferred Brig-Gen (Rtd) Mpabanga with the National Hero status on Saturday.
In a statement yesterday, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage confirmed the movement of the body.
“The Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage wishes to advise the nation that the late National Hero, Brig-Gen (Rtd) Samuel Mpabanga will be laid to rest at the National Heroes Acre (at a date to be confirmed).
“The body of the Late National Hero will be ferried to Plot 20 Jannee Farm in West Nicholson, tomorrow (Monday) 16 February 2026 at 10am,” reads the statement.
“The cortège will depart from the Farm to his rural homestead in Mapate Village at 1200hrs and a church service will be held at the homestead up to 2pm.
“The remains of the National Hero are expected back in Bulawayo at 3pm where it will lie in state at Doves funeral parlour.”
Tomorrow, the body of the late National Hero will be airlifted to Charles Gumbo Barracks where it will lie in state ahead of burial at a date yet to be announced.
Brig-Gen (Rtd) Mpabanga, whose Chimurenga name was Moffat Nkomo, was a respected liberation war veteran and senior military officer.
His family has welcomed the National Hero honour saying it was befitting given his contribution to the country’s independence and long service after.
“As the Mpabanga family we are happy and appreciate that President Mnangagwa and the ruling party, Zanu-PF, saw it prudent to honour my brother with a National Hero Status,” family spokesperson, Mr Stephen Mbizo said.
“My brother worked tirelessly for the nation and the Zimbabwe National Army. We are also grateful for the support that we continue to get from Government since we lost our beloved brother on 9 February.”
The War Veterans League has also thanked President Mnangagwa for conferring National Hero status to the respected army officer.
Born on August 31, 1956 in Gwanda, he attended Mapate Primary School and Beitbridge Primary School from 1963 to 1970, before proceeding to Manama Mission (1971 to 1972) and Matobo Secondary School from 1973 to 1974.
He crossed the border to join the liberation struggle as a ZIPRA cadre in 1977 and briefly stayed at Mapate before crossing Shashe River with his colleagues headed to Selibe Phikwe in Botswana.
The late Brig-Gen (Rtd) stayed at Selibe Phikwe Prison for three months with his uncle, the late Raphel Mpabanga, Martin Kukubele and the late Sibusiso Mpabanga.
He started military training late 1977 at Mulungushi under the Zambian army, with attachments from ZIPRA who included the late Cephas Khupe and the late Gedi Dube.
From 1978 to 1979, he went for further military training in Odessa, Russia, formerly the Soviet Union.
The late senior army officer joined the Zimbabwe National Army on July 12, 1980 and retired from active service on August 31, 2022.
He also served as a defence attachee at the country’s Embassy in Zambia between 2016 and 2022. While in Zambia, he oversaw the management and upkeep of liberation war shrines where scores of Zimbabwe’s heroes and heroines are buried.
He is survived by wife and four children. Meanwhile, mourners are gathered at 4 Mcgee Road Sauerstown, Bulawayo.
