Story by Mhlomuli Ncube, Assistant News Editor
The Head of State and Governemnt President Emmerson Mnangagwa has conferred national hero status on Brigadier-General (Retired) Samuel Mpabanga following his death on Monday.
Brig-Gen (Rtd) Mpabanga died at Gwanda General Hospital after a long illness. He was 69.
In a letter addressed to Jacob Mudenda, the ZANU PF Secretary-General, Acting Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Mr Zvinechimwe Churu, confirmed the conferment of national hero status.
“I wish to advise that His Excellency, the President, Cde Dr ED Mnangagwa, has declared the late Brigadier-General (Retd) Samuel Mpabanga a national hero. The burial date will be announced,” read the letter in part.
Brig-Gen (Rtd) Mpabanga, whose Chimurenga name was Moffat Nkomo, was a respected liberation war veteran and senior military officer who played a significant role during Zimbabwe’s armed struggle.
Mourners are gathered at House Number 4, McGee Road, Sauerstown, in Bulawayo as the nation prepares to accord him a hero’s burial.
