Story by Peter Chivhima
ALL is set for the burial of National Hero Brigadier General (Retired) Mark Charles Chimwaza at the National Heroes Acre this Saturday.
The body of the late National Hero has been taken to Charles Gumbo Barracks in Harare, where it will lie in state ahead of the official burial at the National Shrine.
The body was accompanied by government officials, relatives, and colleagues with family members applauding government for bestowing National Hero Status on one of their own.
Government confirmed that everything is set for the day.
“As the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage we can confirm that all is set for tomorrow’s proceedings. His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa will preside over the burial ceremony. I can also confirm that we have mobilised 60 buses to ferry our mourners. We are saying people should be seated early.
“Citizens are urged to come in their numbers so that we give a befitting send-off to our national hero,” Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Acting Permanent Secretary, Mr Mike Masaka said.
Born in 1957 in Mutare, Brigadier General (Retired) Mark Chimwaza, whose Chimurenga name was Cde Paddington Chafa Chaora, completed both his primary and secondary education in Manicaland Province.
Outraged by the injustices inflicted on black Zimbabweans under white minority rule, he joined the liberation struggle in 1976 and received military training in Mozambique, where he served in several camps.
After independence, he returned home in 1982 and joined the Zimbabwe National Army as a private.
Through dedication and discipline, he rose through the ranks to become a Brigadier General, serving with distinction until his retirement in 2022.
He is survived by his wife and three children.
