Online Reporter
Gibson Nyikadzino
Senior Reporter
NATIONAL hero Brigadier-General (Retired) Albert Jack Nyamuronda, who died last Tuesday, will be buried today at the National Heroes Acre in Harare.
Brig-Gen (Rtd) Nyamuronda died at Chitungwiza Central Hospital.
He was 67.
President Mnangagwa conferred national hero status on Brig-Gen Nyamuronda on Saturday in recognition of his contribution to the liberation struggle and the defence of Zimbabwe. The decision was communicated to the Nyamuronda family by ZANU PF Politburo member Cde Mike Madiro.
Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Colonel (Rtd) Onward Tokoda, yesterday said Government had finalised preparations and processes for the national hero’s interment today.
“Our preparations are at an advanced stage for the burial of national hero Brig-General Nyamuronda at the National Heroes Acre tomorrow (today).
“His body was today flown to his village in Chikore, Manicaland and it will be brought to Harare, where it will lie in state at his home in Chitungwiza,” he said.
Col (Rtd) Tokoda said, as part of preparations, Government will avail buses for mourners to attend the burial.
Brig-Gen Nyamuronda was born in Makoni North District, Manicaland Province, under Chief Chikore.
The Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution Advocate Misheck Mugadza, who was represented by the Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Mr Abiot Maronge, said the province and nation at large has been robbed of a dedicated and patriotic citizen who at a tender age left the country to fight for the war of liberation and continued to serve with excellence in the Zimbabwe National Army.
“On behalf of the people of Manicaland Province, I wish to extend our profound and heartfelt gratitude to President Mnangagwa, for conferring upon our departed hero the well-deserved status of National Hero. This honour is a fitting recognition of a life spent in the trenches of struggle and in the barracks.
“Brigadier-General (Retired) Nyamuronda was born in Makoni North and it is on this very soil that the seeds of patriotism, discipline and love of country were first planted in him, values that would come to define his life’s journey.
“He rose through the ranks of the Zimbabwe National Army to the distinguished rank of Brigadier-General, dedicating his life to the liberation struggle and defence of Zimbabwe’s hard won independence and sovereignty. Zimbabwe has lost a gallant soldier, a disciplined officer and a patriot whose contribution to the defence of this nation will forever be etched in the records of our history.
Family spokesperson and brother Mr Issac Nyamuronda said the family has lost a pillar of strength who was a man of peace.
“We are saddened as a family to lose our brother. He was a man of peace since childhood. He was a fountain of knowledge whom the family relied on. We want to thank President Mnangagwa for conferring National Hero status on my brother. We feel honoured as a family,” said Mr Nyamuronda.
Chief Chikore said the community had lost a valuable member and called upon people to emulate life of Brigadier-General (Retired) Nyamuronda.
He is survived by his wife and four children. Mourners are gathered at House Number 14565, Zengeza 3 Extension, Chitungwiza.
