THE body of liberation war stalwart and former Home Affairs
Minister Dr Dumiso Dabengwa, will arrive this afternoon at the Joshua Mqabuko
Nkomo International Airport, in Bulawayo.
Dr Dabengwa, 79, died on Thursday in Nairobi, Kenya on his
way back home from India where he had gone for medical treatment. The Zipra
intelligence supremo succumbed to a liver ailment.
Family spokesman Mr Freeman Dr Dabengwa, who is the Zapu
leader’s last born son, said the body was expected at around midday. It will be
accompanied by Dr Dabengwa’s wife, Zodwa.
The family has provisionally planned to bury Dr Dabengwa
this Saturday at his rural home in Ntabazinduna – about 40km outside Bulawayo.
“Nyaradzo (funeral parlour) buses will ferry mourners from
the Large City Hall to the airport at 10.30am tomorrow (today),” said Mr
Dabengwa.
“We are grateful for the assistance received from the
Government through provision of food for the scores of mourners.”
Zanu-PF Secretary for Administration Cde Obert Mpofu said
the party’s decision on Dr Dabengwa’s hero’s status will be announced soon.
“We will make pronouncements and then the nation will
know,” he said.
The Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Cde
Judith Ncube said Dr Dabengwa deserved to be honoured in recognition of the
pivotal role he played towards the liberation of Zimbabwe from the colonial
yoke.
“A leader is gone; a commander is no more. We hope that he
gets the respect and honour he deserves. I encourage the Bulawayo community to
welcome Dr Dabengwa’s body back home today,” she said.
Zimbabweans across the political divide have united in
mourning the liberation war stalwart with several senior Government officials
visiting the Dabengwa’s residence in Fourwinds to pay their condolences.
Dr Dabengwa is well-known for his key role in the war that
brought independence in 1980.
He participated in the liberation war under Zipra which was
Zapu’s military wing – with other heroes like the late Misheck Velaphi Ncube,
Moffat Hadebe, Robson Manyika, Clark Mpofu, Sikhwili Khohli Moyo, Retired
Colonel Thomas Ngwenya and Retired Colonel Tshinga.
He is survived by his wife Zodwa, five children and five
grandchildren.
Mourners are gathered at number 39 Diamond Road, Fourwinds,
Bulawayo. Sunday Mail
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