Online Reporter
President Mnangagwa is this morning set to preside over the burial of the late national hero, Brigadier General (Retired) Mark Charles Chimwaza, at the National Heroes Acre in Harare.
Brig Gen Chimwaza succumbed to lung cancer on December 3 at his home in Harare’s Kuwadzana suburb.
He was 68.
Brigadier General (Rtd) Chimwaza, whose nom de guerre was Cde Paddington Chafachaora, was born on 10 April 1957 in Mutare District, Manicaland Province, under Chief Marange and Headman Kurauone.
He was the second-born twin in a family of 10 (seven boys and three girls).
He did his primary education at Kurauone and Banda Primary schools in Marange between 1966 to 1972 before attending secondary at St Mary’s Magdalene in Nyanga from 1973 to 1976.
Soon after completing his secondary education, he crossed into Mozambique to join the liberation struggle under ZANLA.
He briefly stayed at Doroi Camp before proceeding to Chimoio for initial training at Takawira Two Base in 1977.
The late national hero failed to complete training after the 1977 Chimoio brutal bombings.
In early 1978, he returned to Doroi to complete training before being deployed to Maputo, where he provided VIP security to the Zimbabwe African National Union (Patriotic Front) until late 1979.
He was then selected for further military training in Romania, where he specialised in Field Artillery until 1982.
He returned to the country in 1982 to join the national army as a private.
In 1985, he was appointed Platoon Commander in Nyanga upon the formation of the Presidential Guards Brigade.
He held various positions in the army until his death.
Standby as our Senior Reporter, Nyore Madzianike, gives us updates.
Vice President Mohadi arrives
Vice President Dr Kembo Mohadi has arrived at the National Heroes Acre in Harare to attend the burial of the late national hero, Brigadier-General (Retired) Charles Chimwaza.
The funeral ceremony has drawn senior Government officials, members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, war veterans, traditional leaders and members of the public, who have gathered to pay their final respects to the liberation war stalwart.
Brig Gen (Rtd) Chimwaza was declared a national hero in recognition of his distinguished contribution to Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle and his dedicated service to the nation after independence.
The body of the late National Hero Brigadier General (Rtd) Charles Chimwaza has arrived at the National Heroes Acre ahead of his burial.
President Mnangagwa arrives for Brig-Gen Chiwanza burial
President Mnangagwa has arrived at the National Heroes Acre for the burial of the late national hero, Brigadier General (Rtd) Charles Chimwaza.
Several Government ministers and Zanu PF officials are already in attendance for the burial ceremony.
Among those present are the Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution forManicaland and Harare, Misheck Mugadza and Charles Tawengwa.
The official programme is about to start, with the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and Acting Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Ziyambi Ziyambi, taking to the podium to address mourners.
Chimwaza family thanks President for National Hero status
The Chimwaza family has expressed gratitude to President Mnangagwa for honouring the late Brigadier General Charles Chimwaza with national hero status.
Addressing mourners, the late hero’s brother, Mr Edmond Chimwaza, thanked the President for recognising his brother’s contribution to the liberation struggle and the nation.
Mr Edmond Chimwaza said President Mnangagwa is the country’s torchbearer, a role he said also extends to the Chimwaza family.
He narrated that the late national hero worked part-time on farms during his school years.
On one occasion, he said, Brig Gen Chimwaza was paid 12 cents after working from 6 am to 6 pm, a situation that angered him.
He said that after school, the late national hero sent his trunk back home with a note indicating that he had left for Mozambique to join the liberation struggle.
Minister Ziyambi invites the President to the podium
Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and Acting Minister of Home Affairs and
Cultural Heritage, Ziyambi Ziyambi, has invited President Mnangagwa to the podium to address mourners.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Ziyambi said the nation is in a period of festivities but is once again burying another gallant son.
He gave a brief background of the late hero’s history, saying he will be remembered for his dedication and loyalty to the nation.
Minister Ziyambi then invited President Mnangagwa to take to the pod
Brigadier General (Rtd) Chimwaza a distinguished soldier: President Mnangagwa
President Mnangagwa has described the late national hero, Brigadier General (Rtd) Charles Chimwaza, as a distinguished soldier and revolutionary who made immense sacrifices for the country.
Speaking during his burial, President Mnangagwa expressed deep condolences to the family of the late national hero, adding that the loss is shared by the nation as a whole.
“This is our way of expressing national gratitude for his sacrifice,” President Mnangagwa said.
The President urged all communities and sectors to contribute towards building the nation.
He urged citizens to show love to each other this festive season.
President Mnangagwa also directed security services to remain on high alert.
He called upon communities to reject mischief by detractors bent on derailing national development.
The President also urged people to shun drugs.
Members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces perform a gun salute as Brig-Gen Charles Chimwaza’s body is lowered into the grave.
