Story by Bruce Chahwanda, Political Editor
PRESIDENT Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa has announced that Government is crafting measures to shield citizens from global economic shocks linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict.
He made the remarks during the burial of three national heroes at National Heroes Acre this Monday.
A sombre atmosphere marked the ceremony as thousands gathered to pay their final respects to Major General (Rtd) Herbert Chingono, Cde Cosmas Chiringa and Cde Elson Mupamaonde, who were interred at the national shrine.
Addressing mourners, President Dr Mnangagwa urged vigilance, noting that Government had already put in place a raft of interventions to cushion Zimbabweans from external economic shocks.
“I address you at a time of an ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The impact of that war has shaken the entire globe, including here in our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe. While my Government has put in place measures to shield us from unforeseen and potential shocks, we must remain vigilant and focused. ‘Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevenevayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhu-le-ke-lwe ngabanikazi balo.’
“Meanwhile, we will continue to structurally transform our economy, ensuring that our finite resources are processed and value-added at source, for the benefit of our people. Our partners and investors across all sectors, particularly in mining, have a duty to ensure durable and mutually beneficial collaboration. The doors of my Administration remain open for complementary economic relations,” he said.
The President also paid tribute to the late Cde Mupamaonde, calling for increased agricultural productivity as a fitting legacy.
“In 1980, the late National Hero, Cde Mupamaonde, did not seek high office or public acclaim. Having successfully brought together his forces at the Romeo Assembly Point, he proceeded to live a private life. He was a pillar of strength for the Centenary community and Mashonaland Central Province until his passing on at St Albert’s Mission Hospital. The greatest tribute we can pay to you, Cde Mupamaonde, is through unwavering loyalty to our ongoing developmental revolution. We must continue to honour the late National Hero, Cde Mupamaonde and other luminaries of our motherland, by turning the land they fought for, into green belts; our mines and industries into productive, thriving units,” he said.
On Cde Chiringa, a career civil servant, President Mnangagwa challenged public sector workers to advance the devolution agenda.
“The late National Hero, Cde Chiringa, was one of the bridge-builders who turned the vision of ‘Leaving No One and No Place Behind’ into a practical administrative reality. The many departed sons and daughters of the soil who fought for our independence and freedom were drawn from the breadth and length of our country. To honour them, let us continue to ensure the success of our ongoing Devolution and Decentralisation Agenda. Undoubtedly, the milestones we have scored to date are a testament that devolution is a living reality in every village, ward, and district. Under my Administration, we are achieving our development objectives. We have dismantled the old ‘Bamba Zonke’ mentality. To the men and women who currently occupy various positions across stations of our Public Service, I urge you to take a leaf from the life of our National Hero, Cde Cosmas Chiringa,” President Mnangagwa said.
Paying tribute to Major General (Rtd) Chingono, the President called on members of the security sector to emulate his distinguished service.
“Our National Hero and Grand Officer of the Zimbabwe Order of Merit served with distinction as the Commandant of the Zimbabwe Staff College and the Dean of Social Sciences at the Zimbabwe National Defence University. His Liberation and Independence Medals recognise a cadre who bravely chose the front and became an artillery specialist in independent Zimbabwe. He was equally awarded the Long and Exemplary Service Medals in recognition of his four decades as a professional soldier within the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.
“Our late national hero was also awarded the Mozambique and DRC Campaign Medals, as a testament to his pan-African spirit. His life was lived with purpose, honour, bravery, and an unwavering love for Zimbabwe. I call upon our officers, men, and women of our Zimbabwe Defence Forces, as well as the security sector as a whole, to honour our departed heroes who served in the military and understand your role in the context of our developing, modernising, and industrialising state,” he said.
This was the fourth triple burial at the national shrine, following similar ceremonies held in 2021, 2024 and 2025.
Proceedings also featured banners highlighting the lives of the departed heroes, alongside messages on the Constitutional Amendment Number 3 Bill.
