adminHerald Reporter
THE Zanu-PF Politburo will meet today to discuss the hero statuses of veteran nationalist Cde Enos Nkala and freedom fighter Air Commodore Mike Karakadzai (Rtd) who died in separate incidents this week.Zanu-PF national spokesperson Cde Rugare Gumbo yesterday said the Politburo would be seized with the matter this morning.
The party’s Manicaland provincial committee has since written to the Politburo requesting that the late Air Cdre Karakadzai be declared a national hero considering the contribution he made to the country.
Provincial deputy chairperson Cde Mike Nyambuya confirmed the request and said they were waiting for feedback from the Politburo. “We have met as a province and have submitted our application for the hero status,” he said.
In his condolences on Wednesday, President Mugabe said Cde Nkala deserved national hero status.
Cde Nkala (81) died from a complicated ailment that saw his heart and kidneys failing. He was born in Insiza district in Matabeleland South and was one of the founders of Zanu as the party was formed at his house, 4449 Highfield, Harare in 1963.
Cde Nkala was detained at Gonakudzingwa for 12 years with other leaders such as President Mugabe, Ndabaningi Sithole, Edgar Tekere, Leopold Takawira and Maurice Nyagumbo.
After independence, he headed different ministries until he resigned in 1989 at the height of the Willowgate scandal which involved the acquisition of several vehicles from Willowvale Madza Motor Industries by individuals in Government.
Meanwhile, the body of Air Cdre Karakadzai (Rtd), who was the National Railways of Zimbabwe general manager, will be flown from Bulawayo to Harare today.
Air Force of Zimbabwe public relations officer Squadron Leader Simon Matingwina said the body would arrive at Manyame Air Base where a parade would be conducted.
Thereafter, the body is expected to be ferried to One Commando.
Air Cdre Karakadzai (56) (Rtd) died on admission to Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo after he was involved in a horrific accident along the
Bulawayo-Harare Road just after Shangani Mine Turn off Flyover Bridge on Monday night.
Air Cdre Karakadzai (Rtd) was travelling alone from Harare to Bulawayo.
He joined the Air Force of Zimbabwe in 1984 as a flight lieutenant before being promoted to squadron leader in 1985 and being elevated to wing commander in 1989. He became a group captain in 1992 before rising to Air Commodore in 2000, the rank he held at the time of his death.
Air Cdre Karakadzai (Rtd) joined the liberation struggle at the age of 18 where he received training and served in different capacities both at the rear and at the war front.
Rtd Air Cdre Karakadza is survived by wife Sylvia and five sons.
Mourners are gathered at No. 56 Livingstone Road, Broadway House in Suburbs, Bulawayo, and Number 33 Guyscliff Road, Greystone Park in Harare. A funeral parade and burial arrangements will be announced in due course.
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