Online Reporter
Vusumuzi Dube, Deputy Radar Editor
VETERAN journalist and Sunday News Assistant Editor Mkhululi Sibanda has been conferred with Liberation Hero Status by President Mnangagwa and First Secretary of ZANU-PF, in recognition of his contribution to preserving Zimbabwe’s liberation history.
According to a communication from the ZANU-PF Secretary-General, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, President Mnangagwa approved the conferment of the honour following Sibanda’s death on July 3, 2026.
“His Excellency, the President and First Secretary of ZANU (PF), Cde ED Mnangagwa has conferred Liberation Hero Status to the late Cde Sibanda Mkhululi, who died on 3 July 2026 and will be buried in Kezi, Donkwe-Donkwe Village under Chief Nyangazonke,” reads part of the letter signed by Advocate Mudenda.
“I shall be most grateful if you would make the usual burial arrangements and payment of benefits to his family.”
Sibanda, who died at the age of 55, was one of Zimbabwe’s most respected journalists and served as Assistant Editor of the Sunday News. He was widely recognised for his acclaimed Lest We Forget column, which documented the experiences of liberation war veterans and preserved important aspects of Zimbabwe’s liberation history.
Throughout his journalism career spanning nearly three decades, Sibanda mentored generations of reporters while earning a reputation for his commitment to professional, balanced and historically grounded journalism.
He is expected to be buried in his rural home in Donkwe-Donkwe Village under Chief Nyangazonke in Kezi.
Bunjiwe Mkwananzi
Colletta Dube