News / Local
Mugabe mourns Enos Nkala
21 Aug 2013 at 19:55hrs | Views
President Robert Mugabe says the death of Zanu-PF founding member and former Minister of Defence, Enos Nkala is a sad loss to the family and the country at large.
Mugabe said he learnt about the passing on of Nkala with great shock, having visited him on Tuesday evening.
"I went to see him at this time yesterday because I had heard that he was becoming unconscious. I said Enos, Enos and he opened his eyes, acknowledging my presence, the presence of his old friend. I didn't know that my visit was my farewell to him," said President Mugabe.
Mugabe added that it is sad that Nkala has died at a time the country is about to inaugurate him [President Mugabe] after a resounding election victory last month, but said after the inauguration they will discuss what to do with Nkala's hero status.
"We will be discussing soon after the event but I am sure he will be buried at the National Heroes Acre because if a person like Enos is not given that honour, so no one else deserves," he said.
Mugabe said he will miss Nkala as a close friend as they have been together in the trenches for a long time.
He said: "I worked with Enos since 1963 on my return from Ghana and we were together all the way, in prisons, until independence. He became the first Finance Minister and when he retired we kept in touch and of late he has been unwell until his health deteriorated. He was a great fighter for our liberation, very dependable, a good organiser and a non-tribalist. So I would like to say to his family I am very sorry for their loss which is our loss also. I will miss him as a close friend."
Meanwhile, Vice President Vice President Mujuru said it is sad that Nkala has died just a day before the inauguration of his comrade in arms, President Mugabe on Thursday.
She however said, there is every reason to celebrate as Nkala died after Zanu PF's resounding election victory.
"I visited the family and I asked why he passed on at this moment and Herbert [family spokesperson] said he was a person who wanted attention so maybe this is one way he has chosen to attract that attention. But we must celebrate his life because at least he lived until after a tense election period and this victory is what he wanted to see," said Mujuru.
Nkala succumbed to renal failure in Harare on Wednesday morning.
He played a pivotal role before and after independence as Zanu PF was formed at his house at Number 4449 in Highfield, Harare.
He was detained alongside President Mugabe for several years by the Rhodesian government at Gonakudzingwa.
After independence, Nkala held several top government posts.
Mugabe said he learnt about the passing on of Nkala with great shock, having visited him on Tuesday evening.
"I went to see him at this time yesterday because I had heard that he was becoming unconscious. I said Enos, Enos and he opened his eyes, acknowledging my presence, the presence of his old friend. I didn't know that my visit was my farewell to him," said President Mugabe.
Mugabe added that it is sad that Nkala has died at a time the country is about to inaugurate him [President Mugabe] after a resounding election victory last month, but said after the inauguration they will discuss what to do with Nkala's hero status.
"We will be discussing soon after the event but I am sure he will be buried at the National Heroes Acre because if a person like Enos is not given that honour, so no one else deserves," he said.
Mugabe said he will miss Nkala as a close friend as they have been together in the trenches for a long time.
He said: "I worked with Enos since 1963 on my return from Ghana and we were together all the way, in prisons, until independence. He became the first Finance Minister and when he retired we kept in touch and of late he has been unwell until his health deteriorated. He was a great fighter for our liberation, very dependable, a good organiser and a non-tribalist. So I would like to say to his family I am very sorry for their loss which is our loss also. I will miss him as a close friend."
She however said, there is every reason to celebrate as Nkala died after Zanu PF's resounding election victory.
"I visited the family and I asked why he passed on at this moment and Herbert [family spokesperson] said he was a person who wanted attention so maybe this is one way he has chosen to attract that attention. But we must celebrate his life because at least he lived until after a tense election period and this victory is what he wanted to see," said Mujuru.
Nkala succumbed to renal failure in Harare on Wednesday morning.
He played a pivotal role before and after independence as Zanu PF was formed at his house at Number 4449 in Highfield, Harare.
He was detained alongside President Mugabe for several years by the Rhodesian government at Gonakudzingwa.
After independence, Nkala held several top government posts.
Source - zbc
