Story by Wellington Makonese
ALL is set for the burial of three national heroes at the National Heroes Acre this Monday, with the Government confirming everything is in place for the solemn ceremony to be presided over by President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Thousands of Zimbabweans are expected to converge at the national shrine for the triple burial of Major General Retired Herbert Chingono, as well as Cdes Cosmas Chiringa and Elson Mupamaonde.
The ceremony marks a rare occasion, being only the fourth triple burial since independence, with final preparations now in place.
“We are glad to say that we are prepared to provide a befitting send-off for the triple burial. Today, they lie in state at Charles Gumbo Barracks ahead of the ceremony, which His Excellency will preside over.
“We have provided buses for transportation for the family and for the provinces of Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, and Harare. We expect this place to be open by six, so that by seven, members of the public will be seated as we celebrate the lives and sacrifices of our national heroes,” Director of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Mr Mike Masaka, said.
Major General (Retired) Chingono, a decorated liberation war hero, was born in 1958 in Rukweza Village, Makoni, and died on March 15.
Cde Cosmas Chiringa, born in 1960 in Nyanga, served as a senior Government official until his death on March 9, while war veteran Cde Elson Mupamaonde, born in Sohwe, Muzarabani in 1950, played a key role in the armed struggle and died on March 3.
The ceremony is expected to draw people from across the country as the nation pays tribute to the fallen heroes whose contributions continue to shape Zimbabwe’s development.
