Live updates of the burial of Cde Kumbirai Kangai

Live updates of the burial of Cde Kumbirai Kangai.

15:09 – President Mugabe and other senior Government officials now leaving the National Heroes Acre.

15:06 – Cde Kumbirai Kangai has been laid to rest with full military honours at the National Heroes Acre. The Police Band now playing the National Anthem.

14;54 – President Mugabe presents the Zimbabwe national flag to Cde Kangai’s widow.

14:48 – President Mugabe, Cde Kangai’s family members and senior Government officials now laying wreaths at the graveside.

14:45 – Cde Kangai’s casket has been lowered into the grave.

14:41 – Gun salute for Cde Kangai by members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.

14:38 – Father Fidelis Mukonori giving a final prayer  at Cde Kangai’s graveside.

14:26 – President Mugabe, members of Cde Kangai’s family and senior Government officials are now proceeding to the late national heroe’s grave.

14:23 – The President has just finished delivering his keynote address.

14:12- The National Heroes Acre is preserved for those who liberated the country like Cde Kangai and those who wish to establish their own shrine are free to do so, said President Mugabe.

14;06 – Cde Kangai performed well in the Government and land revolution, said President Mugabe.

13:35 – President Mugabe recounts how the late Cde Kangai survived a grenade attack in 1980 had to be hospitalised for a long time. Elections that were held in 1980 were ugly on the nationalists.

13:26 – President Mugabe narrates the critical events during the liberation struggle. Cde Kangai played a crucial role in most of these events.

13:07 – President Mugabe narrates the significance of Dare ReChimurenga, which was pivotal in organising the Liberation struggle.

12:45 – President Mugabe says Zimbabwe will always resist Western domination. He also paid tribute to Cde Kangai as a revolutionary par excellence.

12:42 – President Mugabe goes down memory lane describing the formation of Dare Rechimurenga in which Cde Kangai was and integral member.

12:31 – The President says that he is concerned by the frequent deaths of revolutionaries.

12:29 – Professor Arthur Mutambara receives a standing ovation after his presence is acknowledged by The President.

12:26 – President Mugabe has started has key note address.

12:16 – Mr Reward Kangai, the family representative is now adressing the gathering and he has described the late national heroe as a gallant son of the soil. He said Cde Kangai began his revolutionary stance at a young age. He said Zimbabwe should preserve Cde Kangai’s legacy and the country should never be a colony again.

12:10 – Father Mukonori has concluded his sermon. He described Cde Kangai as a symbol of God’s will because he was a selfless cadre who had the conscience to sacrifise his life for the liberation of the country.

11:59 – Father Fidelis Mukonori is now delivering a sermon for the late Cde Kangai.

11:54 – The casket carrying Cde Kangai’s body is being delivered to the main podium led by Bishop Mukonori of the Roman Catholic Church.

11:49 – President Mugabe has arrived. He is accompanied by the convoy that is carrying Cde Kangai’s body.

11:46 – MDC-T founding member Mrs Sekai Holland and Senator Cephas Makuyana have attended the burial of Cde Kangai in defiance of their party’s policy of snubbing such events.

11:42 – Thousands of people have converged at the National shrine for the burial of the late Zanu PF stalwart and former Cabinet Minister Cde Kumbirai Kangai. The dignitaries here include V.P Mujuru, Zanu PF national chairman Cde Simon Khaya Moyo, Cabinet Ministers,, senior Government officials and service chiefs.

11:39 – President Mugabe is expected to arrive soon for Cde Kumbirai Kangai’s burial.

11:23 – Vice President Joyce Mujuru has arrived at the National Heroes Acre for the burial of the late national heroe Cde Kumbirai Kangai.