daniel chigunwe
Mukudzei Chingwere
Herald Reporter
ACTING President Dr Constantino Chiwenga has expressed his heartfelt condolences following the death of three National Heroes – Major General (Retired) Solomon Siziba, Cde Chenhamo “Chen” Chakezha Chimutengwende and Ambassador John Shumba Mvundura.
Maj-Gen Siziba and Cde Chimutengwende are set to be buried tomorrow at the National Heroes Acre in Harare, amid indications Ambassador Mvundura might be interred on the same day.
Acting President Chiwenga said Maj-Gen Siziba was one of the students at Manama Mission School who were recruited in 1977 by ZIPRA together with the likes of Air Chief Marshal (Rtd) Elson Moyo, the late national hero Lieutenant-General (Rtd) Sibusiso Busi Moyo, and Beitbridge East legislator Cde Albert Ngulube.
Maj-Gen Siziba’s sacrifices, said Acting President Chiwenga, must remain a great challenge to everyone.
“He underwent basic guerrilla training in Kaunga under the current Commander Defence Forces General Philip Valerio Sibanda, who was the Camp Commandant,” said Acting President Chiwenga.
Maj-Gen Siziba was one of the survivors of the Freedom Camp and Mukushi Camp attacks by Rhodesian Forces in 1978.
In 1979, he was selected to undergo training in the Soviet Union, Moscow in Russia as a Reconnaissance Officer.
He was attested into the Zimbabwe National Army and commissioned to the rank of Captain.
He participated in the Mozambique Campaign and was also deployed in the DRC during “Operation Sovereign Legitimacy”.
In 2005, Maj-Gen Siziba was appointed Defence Attaché in Botswana where he was credited for establishing the Botswana Military Attaché Association and producing its constitution
Apart from his military contribution to the country, said Acting President Chiwenga, Maj-Gen Siziba was instrumental in the establishment of the National Prosecution Authority where he served as director administration and board secretary.
In respect of Ambassador Mvundura, the Acting President said: “I received with deep sorrow and sadness, (news) of the untimely death of Ambassador John Shumba Mvundura, a seasoned diplomat and a veteran of our liberation struggle.
“His first Diplomatic Mission was in Mozambique and Swaziland followed by Malawi, Libya, Nigeria and Cuba.
“Despite retiring from Government service in 1994, his resilience, commitment to duty and contribution to the diplomatic mission, the Government re-appointed him in 2000 and he served until 2013. Cuba was his last Diplomatic mission.”
Acting President Chiwenga said Cde Mvundura’s political career began in the early days of ZAPU and ZANU when the black political activists began mobilising support to act against the oppressive colonial rule.
As an activist and chair of youths in Old Highfield, he was among the brave sons and daughters of the soil who stood up and fought for the independence of Zimbabwe.
Turning to Cde Chimutengwende, Acting President Chiwenga said he was a dedicated patriot and renowned author whose commitment to the independence and emancipation of the people of Zimbabwe surpasses any reasonable doubt.
“Whilst serving in the legislature, Cde Chimutengwende’s astuteness saw him being appointed to the post of Deputy President of the Senate and head of the Zimbabwe delegation to the Pan-African Parliament (PAP),” said Acting President Chiwenga.
