Online Reporter
Zimpapers Reporters
THREE of Zimbabwe’s illustrious sons of the soil, Major-General (Retired) Dr Herbert Chingono, Cde Cosmas Chiringa and war veteran Cde Elison Mupamawonde, will be buried on Monday at the National Heroes Acre in Harare in honour of their contributions to the nation during the liberation struggle and after the attainment of independence.
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister, Kazembe Kazembe, confirmed the burial plans in an interview.
This marks only the fourth time that the country has buried three national heroes at the same time since independence in 1980.
The first instance was on January 26, 2021 when Lieutenant-General (Retired) Dr Sibusiso Busi Moyo, Dr Joel Biggie Matiza and Major-General (Retd) Paradzai Zimondi were buried at the National Heroes Acre.
The second time was on April 29, 2024 when Cde Nash Nyasha Dzimiri, Brigadier-General Shadreck Vezha and Cde Tsitsi Grace Jadagu were buried.
On January 22, 2025, the country also buried Major-General (Retd) Solomon Siziba, Cde Chenhamo “Chen” Chakezha Chimutengwende and Ambassador John Shumba Mvundura.
Preparations for the burial of the latest national heroes are in full swing, with a funeral parade held yesterday for Maj-Gen Dr Chingono at the Charles Gumbo Barracks in Harare.
Maj-Gen Chingono, whose chimurenga name was “Swift Chakanyuka”, died after a short illness at his farm in Mazowe on Sunday.
He was 68.
Speaking at a military funeral parade held in his honour yesterday, Commander Zimbabwe Defence Forces, General Emmanuel Matatu, who was the chief mourner, said Maj-Gen Chingono belonged to a generation of elite officers who remained persistent and consistent in the face of neo-colonial machinations by the country’s detractors.
“Having served diligently and purposefully in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, the late Major-General retired from active service on 29 January 2024,” he said.
“He left a legacy of excellence in the organisation. He contributed immensely to the development of Zimbabwe Defence Forces staff officers, both at the Zimbabwe Staff College and Zimbabwe National Defence University.
“He remained loyal and patriotic to the values of the liberation struggle post-independence. The late General belonged to a dwindling class of officers who founded the ZDF after participating in the liberation war. This class led the ZDF in its formative years. They burned the midnight oil to restructure the ZDF and developed the concepts and doctrine that saw the ZDF perform well in two major campaigns in Mozambique and the DRC and on UN operations.”
General Matatu said the ZDF’s performance in the DRC, Mozambique and on UN operations earned the ZDF respect in the region and beyond.
“These officers remained persistent and consistent throughout their service and even in retirement. They remained loyal to the cause in spite of hardships resulting from shocks suffered in our economy,” he said.
Recent past Commander ZDF, General (Retired) Philip Valerio Sibanda, said Maj-Gen Chingono was a professional soldier.
“Well, we send him off. Professional soldier, liberator, a gentleman and indeed one of the few that we had in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.
“I worked with him on different appointments and he excelled. He did well and as a Commander, I was happy to have him by my side whenever I had difficult situations,” he said.
Maj-Gen (Retired) Happyton Bonyongwe, who also worked with the late general officer, said: “We worked together very, very well. I remember when we met, I was still at the Zimbabwe Military Academy.
“Well, he came there with some artillery unit, a battery, I think, when we were undertaking some military exercise. There had been some problems in registering those guns so that they could hit the targets accurately.
“When he arrived on the scene, he changed everything and within a very short space of time, the guns were on target,” he said.
Meanwhile, thousands of Zanu-PF supporters yesterday gathered at the ruling party’s Harare provincial offices to bid farewell to a liberation struggle veteran who was also Permanernt Secretary for Harare Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Chiringa.
He died last Monday due to heart failure and he was 67.
Zanu-PF Secretary for Education, Research and Ideology, who is also the Minister of State for Harare Provincial Affairs and Devolution Charles Tawengwa, said Cde Chiringa embodied the spirit of patriotism and resilience.
“The honour given to Cde Chiringa is not given lightly, it is bestowed upon those whose lives have been wholly dedicated to the liberation struggle, reconstruction and the development of our great nation, Zimbabwe,” he said.
“He was a son of the soil who, from the tender age of 16, started and travelled his liberation journey to his final days as the Permanent Secretary (for Harare Province).”
Minister Tawengwa said Cde Chiringa was a gentleman who provided firm leadership and clear direction in provincial governance.
As the chairperson of the Provincial Development Committee (PDC), Minister Tawengwa said Cde Chiringa ensured that Government priorities were effectively co-ordinated and implemented in line with Zanu-PF resolutions.
He noted that true to his commitment, Cde Chiringa would arrive at work as early as 6am, setting the tone for discipline and dedication in the office.
“With wisdom and technical guidance, Cde Chiringa shaped policy decisions that strengthened service delivery. His methodical approach, collaborative leadership and commitment advanced Zimbabwe’s devolution agenda,” said Minister Tawengwa.
Cde Chiringa has been honoured for his service in Manicaland province, where he relocated families in Makoni and Chiadzwa District.
He is also credited with driving the Kanyemba project and fostering peace in Mashonaland Central.
Cde Chiringa is also celebrated for co-ordinating high-level meetings, which earned him respect across Government.
Zanu-PF Deputy Secretary for Security Cde Tendai Chirau described Cde Chiringa as a man who fostered collaboration between the State and churches, ensuring that the spiritual well-being of individuals was supported.
Cde Chiringa also championed well-co-ordinated meetings with residents’ associations, business associations, schools and other stakeholders, always guided by compassion and a willingness to listen to the needs of others.
Said Cde Chirau: “During the organisation of national programmes, we engaged with the late Cde Chiringa, who was deeply passionate about the developmental progress in Harare following the launch of the National Development Strategy 1 and 2.
“He played a central role in ensuring these programmes were effectively implemented.”
Cde Chirau said Cde Chiringa had the unique opportunity to share his experiences during the liberation struggle, in which he served as a political commissar.
“He articulated not only the challenges they faced during that pivotal time but also the difficulties encountered in the years following independence, particularly after 1980,” said Cde Chirau.
He challenged civil servants to understand that loyalty and commitment are key, as Cde Chiringa did not start as a permanent secretary.
“So we have lost a man who was an epitome of humility and a hard worker who loved his country to the core.”
Zanu-PF Harare provincial chairman Cde Godwills Masimirembwa called on citizens to uphold the values of nationhood, which he learnt from Cde Chiringa.
He urged party members and citizens to commit to these ideals to foster unity and strength in the country.
Cde Masimirembwa highlighted that embracing such values was crucial for building a prosperous future and honouring the legacy of those who fought for the nation’s independence.
Harare provincial political commissar, Cde Voyage Dambuza, urged party members to come out in their numbers at the National Heroes Acre to give a befitting send-off to the national hero.
Some of the senior party members who attended included Politburo member Cde Omega Hungwe, Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology principal Cde Ishmael Mada, Zanu PF Deputy Secretary for Economic Affairs Cde Andy Mhlanga, Zanu-PF Harare provincial vice chairman Cde Ephraim Fundukwa and other senior Government officials.
