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where it will lie in state before burial at the National Heroes Acre tomorrow.
Maj-Gen Maseko (Rtd) succumbed to renal failure, amyloidosis cancer and diabetes on Monday. The body was taken to his rural home in Umguza yesterday and later returned to his Bulawayo home at Number 19, Kildare Road, Hillside where it lay in state awaiting today’s military funeral parade at Imbizo Barracks.
Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander General Constantine Chiwenga would be the chief mourner at the parade that is set for 11am.
After the military parade, the body would be flown to Harare.
The programme in Harare tomorrow will start with body viewing at Stodart Hall in Mbare before the body is taken to the national shrine for burial.
Acting Harare Metropolitan Governor Alfred Tome urged Zimbabweans to turn up in big numbers to give a befitting send off to the veteran nationalist.
“We are urging everyone to come and give the biggest send off for this national hero who carried the torch of the liberation struggle from the beginning to the end,” he said.
“His death means he is giving the torch to us, meaning the revolution continues.”
Mr Tome urged transport operators to help ferry mourners to the national shrine.
“We are saying by 09.30hours, people should be seated at the national shrine because proceedings start at 10.00hours,” he said.
Mr Tome said buses would start ferrying people from the usual pick up points from 05.00 hours.
Meanwhile, hundreds of people thronged the Selborne Park Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Bulawayo yesterday to pay their last respects to Maj-Gen Maseko (Rtd).
A sombre atmosphere engulfed the church as mourners who included politicians, Government officials, service chiefs, business people and the clergy, remembered his life.
Among the mourners were Zanu-PF Politburo members Dr Obert Mpofu, Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, Colonel Tshinga Dube (Rtd), Bulawayo Governor Cain Mathema and Professor Callistus Ndlovu, the Zanu-PF Bulawayo provincial chairman. Service chiefs also attended the church service.
Also present were Zapu leader Dr Dumiso Dabengwa, Mr Delma Lupepe, the late Vice President Landa John Nkomo’s son, Jabulani and former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Deputy Governor Mr Nicholas Ncube.
Different speakers at the church service described Maj-Gen Maseko as a unique leader who lived a humble life and was dedicated to serve his country.
Prof Ndlovu said Maj-Gen Maseko (Rtd) lived an honest life that was guided by principles and never deviated from what he believed in.
“He leaves behind a legacy of responsibility and rationality that needs to be preached by everyone,” he said.
“He had all the opportunity to enrich himself, but chose to work for the masses. He really deserves to be a national hero.”
Governor Mathema said Bulawayo was proud of Maj-Gen Maseko (Rtd) whom he described as a brave army commander whose life was broader than his family.
In his sermon, SDA president for the West Zimbabwe Conference, Pastor Jefrety Sibanda, said Maj-Gen Maseko (Rtd) died a happy man because he had chosen God.
He urged mourners to dedicate their lives to God and to live fruitful lives that will impact positively on others.
Maj-Gen Maseko (Rtd) was born on 1 January 1943 at Hope Fountain on the outskirts of Bulawayo.
He joined the liberation struggle at an early age and rose through the ranks to become a commander in Zipra. Maj-Gen Maseko (Rtd) served as an ambassador to three countries after independence.
Online Reporter