The Sunday Mail
Sunday Mail Reporter
VICE President Kembo Mohadi yesterday sent condolence messages to families of five senior ZANU PF and Government officials who passed away last week.
In a statement, VP Mohadi said Covid-19 continues to rob the country of hardworking patriots.
“In this month of January 2021, the nation has experienced the worst loss of life due to this Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.
“It is with great sorrow that we continue to receive news of the passing of those dear and close to us.”
VP Mohadi paid homage to national hero Morton Malianga, whom he described as a committed revolutionary.
“His unflinching commitment to country’s independent Statehood remains inspirational to many of us,” he said.
“It is with deep sorrow that I also pay homage to our befallen heroine Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba, who will forever be cherished for her admirable leadership in the implementation of our devolution programme.
“Ellen will everlastingly be emulated as a persistent fighter for empowerment programmes for the people.”
Cde Malianga and Dr Gwaradzimba were declared national heroes and buried at the National Heroes Acre on Thursday.
VP Mohadi said he was deeply saddened by the death of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Sibusiso Moyo, who succumbed to Covid-19-related complications.
“Our reengagement programme is indeed poorer without him,” he said.
“His trademark of calmness under provocation distinguished him as an astute diplomat.
“The name SB Moyo had become synonymous with the country’s reengagement policy.”
VP Mohadi said the late Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Dr Joel Biggie Matiza was an exemplary leader.
“The nation will forever be indebted to Cde Matiza for exhibiting exemplary leadership in executing Government programmes, especially in the roads sector,” he said.
“Cde Matiza will forever be emulated for going a step further in utilising local economies, talent and knowledge to build our roads such as the Harare-Beitbridge road. Zimbabwe has lost a man with great potential in its quest for an upper middle-income society by year 2030.”
The Vice President also mourned the death of former Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) Commissioner-General Major General Paradzai Zimondi (Rtd).
“Having worked with these men and women has shown me what it is to serve the nation without reservation and loyalty,” he said.
“I have seen in their lives a dedication and selflessness to duty as they executed their mandates.
“To the families and loved ones remaining, I say rest comforted in the fact that we share the grief in your loss.
“Once again to the families of those I have not mentioned by name and have had to inter their loved ones without observing the rites of passage as of a funeral in our local tradition and customs due to Covid-19, I say let us all derive strength in the Almighty God for the grace to hold on and continue.”
