Thousands bid farewell to former deputy minister Dr Mudzingwa

Thousands of people converged at Glen Forest Cemetery in Harare today to pay their last respects to Dr. Tichaona Mudzingwa.

Dr Mudzingwa was the Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, a fighter in Zimbabwe's liberation struggle, the interim Vice President of the MDC when it was formed in 1999 and a former member of the MDC National Executive.

Dr Mudzingwa died last week at the Avenues Clinic in Harare after a short illness. He was 69

Speaking at the burial, Prime Minister and the Movement for Democratic Change Morgan Tsvangirai said Dr Mudzingwa was an iconic figure not only during the liberation struggle but for a new Zimbabwe which had true democracy and real change. He said it was shocking that the late Dr Mudzingwa had not been granted national heroes status considering how he had fought and scarified for Zimbabwe's independence.

"He earned liberation war credentials.  However, the problem in Zimbabwe is that of a political culture which says if you belong to a different party, you are an enemy, that we should all have one mindset and that is the political culture that we need to change.  Fighting for the people's freedom should be a permanent value," said Tsvangirai.

He said it was Dr Mudzingwa and other war veterans who were at the forefront during the formation of the MDC. "If it was not for these war veterans, the MDC would not be where it is today.  However, it is sad to note that these war veterans are now being treated as pariah because they differed with someone.

"What we need in Zimbabwe is a new Zimbabwe with a new thinking," said Tsvangirai.

He said for him, in Dr Mudzingwa he had lost a confindate. "He guided me and had respect for me as a leader.  The youths should emulate Dr Mudzingwa and should respect authority, leadership and above all you should be well disciplined and remain united," said Tsvangirai.

Thokozani Khupe, the MDC Vice President described Dr. Mudzingwa as a "soldier of soldiers".

"He was a no- nonsense person who spoke his mind who above all wanted a better life for every Zimbabwean. He went to war to liberate Zimbabwe and continued fighting after independence for real change. His point was that he would not rest until Zimbabwe was free and had democracy. He was the foundation and pillar of Zimbabwe and the MDC," said Khupe.

Renowned War veteran Dzinashe Machingura a senior Zanla member during the liberation war of Zimbabwe and who fought with the late minister from 1975, said Dr. Mudzingwa remained a hero even if he was not buried at the national Heroes' Acre.

"He represented genuine heroes not fake ones.  He was committed to his work and was instrumental in establishing hospitals during the liberation war which were used by freedom fighters.  His passion was the liberation of the people of Zimbabwe and after realising that the people's freedom had not been attained after independence he was instrumental in the formation of the MDC," said Machingura.

The burial was attended by several senior MDC, civil society members, officials from the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce, senior government officials and diplomats.

Also present was the President of the Senate, Edna Madzongwe of Zanu-PF, and Deputy Minister of Labour Social Welfare, Tracy Mutinhiri.