Rtd Lt Col Ngwenya to be buried in Plumtree

Rtd Lt Colonel Ngwenya’s burial was postponed from Thursday to today as the family awaited the outcome of deliberations on his hero status by the Zanu-PF Politburo.
However, by yesterday the Politburo had not yet met to finalise the issue.
Zanu-PF secretary for Information and Publicity, Cde Rugare Gumbo said it was difficult to deliberate on the matter as most of the senior party leaders were away on holiday.

“It is very difficult to deliberate on the issue because most leaders are on leave. I have tried to get in touch with the national chairman, Cde Simon Khaya Moyo and the secretary for administration, Cde Didymus Mutasa and they are all not reachable. It is difficult indeed,” said Cde Gumbo.
On Thursday, Rtd Lt Col Ngwenya’s widow, Julie, said her husband would be buried at Plumtree Heroes’ Acre today.

Yesterday, Zanu-PF Matabeleland South provincial chairman, Cde Andrew Langa also confirmed today’s burial.
He, however, expressed confidence that the national leadership would declare Rtd Lt Col Ngwenya a national hero despite the delays.
“All roads will lead to Plumtree tomorrow (today) where we will lay to rest our gallant son of the soil. He is the most senior war veteran in the province.

“As the provincial leadership we recommended to the Politburo that he be declared a national hero.
We are still confident that our proposal to have Rtd Lt Col Ngwenya declared a national hero, which he rightly deserves, will be honoured,” said Cde Langa.

He said the provincial leadership was aware that the national leadership was on holiday and therefore appreciated the ongoing consultations.
“Even if they declare him a national hero post humously we will still be happy. We urge all people to attend the burial of this gallant liberation fighter tomorrow,” he said.

Rtd Lt Col Ngwenya, whose struggle name was ‘Black Swine’ died aged 63 at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) on Christmas Day after a short illness.
Senior Zanu-PF officials among them Matabeleland South Governor and Resident Minister Angeline Masuku and Zanu-PF deputy secretary for women’s affairs Cde Eunice Sandi Moyo, have been regularly visiting Rtd

Lt Col Ngwenya’s family to comfort them.
The party’s political leadership from the Matabeleland region such as the national chairman, Cde Khaya Moyo, Deputy Senate President Naison Khutshwekhaya Ndlovu and Rtd Col Tshinga Dube have roundly described Rtd Lt Col Ngwenya as an outstanding liberation war hero whose liberation credentials could not be disputed.