Story by Peter Chivhima
ALL is set for the burial of national hero, Brigadier General (Rtd) Donald Silundi Tshuma at the National Heroes Acre in Harare this Wednesday.
The body of Brigadier General (Rtd) Tshuma is at Charles Gumbo Barracks in Harare, where it will lie in state before burial.
Brigadier General (Rtd) Tshuma died on May 15, in Bulawayo, at the age of 71. President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa will preside over the burial ceremony.
“The body of our national hero has arrived from Bulawayo. His Excellency, President Mnangagwa, will preside over the burial proceedings. As the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, we can confirm that all the necessary arrangements have been put in place. We have organised transport to ferry mourners to and from the burial venue,” Director Human Resources in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Mr Maxwell Muguse said.
The decorated soldier became involved in politics at a young age through the ZAPU Youth League, serving as District Organising Secretary in Gwabalanda, Bulawayo.
His activities attracted the attention of the Rhodesian Special Branch. In 1976, he left for Zambia via Botswana and joined ZIPRA.
After training at Nampundwe and Mwembeshi camps, he was deployed along the Zambezi River on the Northern Front. During the liberation struggle, he underwent extensive military training in the then Soviet Union.
At Independence in 1980, the distinguished military officer was attested into the Zimbabwe National Army. He rose through the ranks to become Brigadier General in 2020 upon retirement.
Brigadier General (Rtd) Tshuma is survived by four children.
