admin
Herald Reporter
PRESIDENT Mugabe yesterday paid his last respects to his cousin Mrs Getrude Karigamombe-Mutaisi, who died on Monday at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals after suffering from cervical cancer.
Mrs Mutaisi was laid to rest at Warren Hills Cemetery in Harare.
She was 67.
Speaking at her graveside, President Mugabe described Mrs Karigamombe-Mutaisi as an upright person.
He said although Mrs Karigamombe-Mutaisi was active in politics, she was not ambitious.
“Tiri kuviga nhasi mwana wedu wekwaZvimba hanzvadzi yangu ini,” said President Mugabe.
“Ndakataura pandakaenda kumba kwake nemudzimai ndikati ange ari mwana wandange ndichivimba naye zvikuru. Hongu takasiiwa nemadzibaba, baba vake ndivo vaitevera baba vangu.
“Getrude ange ari musikana ange asina chawaimushora. Ange akarurama zvikuru-kuru nepaazenge aroorwa. Vemusangano vataura zvaange achiita kubatsira ari kumba kwake asi isu semhuri Getrude ange ari hanzvadzi yekuti tasangana aitaura chokwadi.
“Hongu aimboti mwii anyerere asi kana oburitsa izwi rake aitaura chokwadi.”
President Mugabe added: “Hapana kana pandakambomushora. Patsika ange ari mudzimai ane tsika, ane gwara, ane chido nesimba rekuzviitira.”
President Mugabe said Mrs Karigamombe-Mutaisi grew up in Mhondoro after her father, who was a teacher, was transferred to St Michaels School.
Said the President: “Kana murume wake ange ari mukuwasha akatwasuka. Akange asingade zvemakuhwa kana kutaura-taura. Aisevenza kuHarare city health (department). Vakasangana pachavo nanaSabina (Mugabe). Wange asina iya inonzi ambition.”
Mrs Karigamombe-Mutaisi’s close friend, Mrs Ms Fungisai Marere, said she deserved provincial heroine status.
She said Mrs Karigamombe-Mutaisi was a diligent woman who offered her house in Mbare during the liberation struggle to conduct political meetings.
“She is a true heroine and it is only that we did not organise well, but we otherwise could have written a letter to the party recommending that she be conferred with provincial heroine status,” said Ms Marere.
“I want to tell all women that we have worked with Mrs Karigamombe-Mutaisi in Zanu-PF for a long time. I want to warn you not to be greedy for positions in the party. There are certain individuals who are using money to get positions.
“The problem that we are facing in the party is that of people who have joined the party to destroy from within.”
Several speakers spoke highly of Mrs Karigamombe-Mutaisi, describing her as a great advisor and unifier.
Vice Presidents Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko, and Cabinet ministers attended the burial.
Zanu-PF members, especially those from Mbare, were also among the mourners.
Mrs Karigamombe-Mutaisi is survived by three children.
Online Reporter