The Sunday Mail
Wallace Ruzvidzo
The abuse of illicit drugs and alcohol by young people is causing unnecessary deaths, which are depriving the country of its future leaders, Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga has said.
Speaking at the burial of Cde Julius Matsika Sekeramayi, elder brother to Zanu PF Politburo member Dr Sydney Sekeramayi, who died last Tuesday aged 93, VP Chiwenga said it is sad substance abuse was causing carnage among young people.
“These days we see the youths engaging in many mischievous things including abuse of alcohol and drugs which affect their health,” said VP Chiwenga, who also doubles as Minister of Health and Child Care.
“They do not have respect or moral codes.
“Never did we hear anything negative about the deceased Julius Sekeramayi.
“What are we doing to contribute meaningfully to the future of our country and families?”
Cases of drug abuse among young people have been going up in the country, a development that has prompted Government to set up a high-level committee to deal with the scourge.
The Vice President called on youths to be upright and lead exemplary lives.
“Not many can live as long as he did, he was already aiming at reaching a 100 years.
“The onus is on us now to emulate the exemplary life led by Julius Sekeramayi,” he said.
VP Chiwenga chronicled how he met and grew close to the Sekeramayi family after he met Dr Sekeramayi in 1977 during the liberation struggle.
He said President Mnangagwa had granted the family a State-assisted funeral in recognition of the family’s service to the nation since the days of the liberation struggle.
“The Sekeramayi family has served this country since the liberation struggle, so President Mnangagwa said let us grant them a State-assisted funeral.
“What brought us together with the Sekeramayi family was the liberation struggle and Cde Sekeramayi is a senior member of ZANU PF.
“I got to know Cde Sekeramayi in 1977 so I have known him for 45 years.”
He said Dr Sekeramayi served diligently as a medical doctor on the war front during the liberation war.
“People were injured, some would die and there were a lot of diseases during the war,” he added.
“So those who got injured here would be transported to Mozambique where they would be treated by Cde Sekeramayi and others.”
Dr Sekeramayi expressed gratitude to VP Chiwenga for attending the burial.
“I would like to thank VP Chiwenga for coming to console us after the untimely death of my brother,” he said.
“When people heard that he was going to attend the burial, they asked what had happened that made VP Chiwenga come today and I told them that we have come a long way together.”
Dr Sekeramayi pledged to continue supporting President Mnangagwa saying that Mashonaland East Province was fully behind the Second Republic.
Cde Sekeramayi was survived by nine children and 28 grandchildren.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland East Province Aplonia Munzverengwi, Marondera West National Assembly representative Cde Spiwe Mukunyaidze, Politburo and Central Committee members attended the burial.
