adminShamiso Dzingire Chronicle Reporter
LIBERATION war hero, Bekithemba Matwasa, 80, who died in Bulawayo on Wednesday, will be buried on Monday at Nkulumane heroes Acre. Cde Matwasa succumbed to diabetes at Mpilo Hospital.
Family spokesperson Shammy Karumo said Matwasa complained of a sore throat and sought medical attention.
“He was prescribed antibiotics but he never recovered.
“His condition deteriorated and he was admitted at Mpilo Hospital on Wednesday at around 6AM where doctors discovered that his sugar levels were too high. They failed to regulate it and Matwasa passed away at around 4PM on the same day,” said Karumo.
She added that Matwasa was diagnosed with diabetes in 2013.
A member of the Zimbabwe Ex-Political Prisoners, Detainees and Restrictees Association (ZEPPDRA) described the late Matwasa as a principled, respectable and humble man.
Matwasa was born in 1935 at Esigodini and attended Mzinyathini Primary School before enrolling at Mzingwane High School.
He joined the liberation struggle under the late Vice President John Nkomo at Tshabalala in 1962.
He was detained for six months at Grey(now Bulawayo)Prison in 1964 after he assumed the position of Branch vice chairperson and was released because of illness caused by torture.
After his release, Cde Matwasa was put under house arrest for three years where his movement was restricted within Bulawayo.
After independence, he worked at Dunlop as a stores person until retirement.
Cde Matwasa is survived by his wife Chrisel Matwasa and 15 children.
Mourners are gathered at house number 2275 New Magwegwe, Bulawayo.
Londile Moyo
Online Reporter