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Maseko to be buried today at the National Heroes Acre
26 May 2013 at 02:39hrs | Views
Thousands of Zimbabweans are expected to throng the National Heroes' Acre today to witness the burial of National Hero Major-General Jevan Maseko (Retired).
His body was yesterday flown from Bulawayo to Harare in preparation for burial.
Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi; Matabeleland South Provincial Governor and Resident Minister Angeline Masuku; Matabeleland North Provincial Governor and Resident Minister Thokozile Mathuthu, Zanu-PF Politburo members Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu and Absolom Sikhosana and Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Constantine Chiwenga were among the high-ranking officials who received the body at One Commando Regiment.
Body-viewing is expected to take place at Stodart Hall this morning after which the funeral cortege will proceed to the National Heroes' Acre. Speaking on the sidelines of a church service at the army base, General Chiwenga described Major-General Maseko as a patriotic military strategist. The two worked together in 1976 during the formation of the Zimbabwe People's Army (ZIPA), an integration of ZANLA and ZIPRA combatants.
"He was the ZIPRA deputy chief of operations. After the demise of Nikita Mangena he took over. I remember he was in the same car that took the life of Mangena. When we got Independence he played a critical role in integrating ZANLA, ZIPRA and the Rhodesian forces.
"That achievement of uniting those forces was not easy and Maseko played a very important role. Very few countries have managed to do that and we are a marvel to watch.
"We have lost an old crop of a soldier who saw it all, starting way back in 1969 when he left the country to liberate this country from colonialism."
His body was yesterday flown from Bulawayo to Harare in preparation for burial.
Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi; Matabeleland South Provincial Governor and Resident Minister Angeline Masuku; Matabeleland North Provincial Governor and Resident Minister Thokozile Mathuthu, Zanu-PF Politburo members Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu and Absolom Sikhosana and Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Constantine Chiwenga were among the high-ranking officials who received the body at One Commando Regiment.
Body-viewing is expected to take place at Stodart Hall this morning after which the funeral cortege will proceed to the National Heroes' Acre. Speaking on the sidelines of a church service at the army base, General Chiwenga described Major-General Maseko as a patriotic military strategist. The two worked together in 1976 during the formation of the Zimbabwe People's Army (ZIPA), an integration of ZANLA and ZIPRA combatants.
"He was the ZIPRA deputy chief of operations. After the demise of Nikita Mangena he took over. I remember he was in the same car that took the life of Mangena. When we got Independence he played a critical role in integrating ZANLA, ZIPRA and the Rhodesian forces.
"That achievement of uniting those forces was not easy and Maseko played a very important role. Very few countries have managed to do that and we are a marvel to watch.
"We have lost an old crop of a soldier who saw it all, starting way back in 1969 when he left the country to liberate this country from colonialism."
Source - sundaymail
