News / National
I celebrated when Mujuru was named Commander of ZNA: Dabengwa
17 Aug 2011 at 04:16hrs | Views
SCORES of mourners from a cross section of Zimbabwe's society thronged the official Mujuru residence in Chisipite in Harare yesterday to pay their condolences to Vice President Joice Mujuru.
The First Lady Grace Mugabe flanked VP Mujuru at her residence.
The mourners included representatives from diverse backgrounds including politics, business and traditional leaders.
President of the Zimbabwe Chiefs Council, Chief Fortune Charumbira said death had robbed Zimbabwe of a gallant freedom fighter and leader.
"For this moment I can say God has decided to forsake us because we are now left unprotected as a country. This was a man who not only emancipated the country but was also the only surviving commander from the liberation struggle.
"Given the friction that is in the country at the moment, we needed people like General Mujuru. He was a sober person and had a balancing role to play in the current scenario," he said.
Gen Mujuru, he said, was a sober leader who fought for the majority of Zimbabweans to have access to their land and resources and would be solely missed by many.
Zanu-PF Harare provincial chairman Amos Midzi said Gen Mujuru's death came as a shock.
"The loss is a shocker and tragedy at the same time. For a man who travelled the way he travelled in terms of fighting for the freedom of the country, one could never imagine that he had to go that way.
"This is a loss that is difficult to imagine, he was a simple man who was not difficult to approach and could speak to anyone, we shall all miss him," he said.
His counterpart from Mashonaland Central Dickson Mafios described Gen Mujuru's death as painful.
"We are shocked and pained by his death, he was indeed a pillar of the struggle and the whole nation and united everyone in the party.
"He was humble and approachable and offered advice on various issues from politics to business, we have lost a good man indeed," he said.
MDC-T spokesperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora commended Gen Mujuru for his role during and after independence.
"The MDC-T family is very saddened at the death of General Mujuru, his works before and after independence objectively and undoubtedly qualifies him to be a national hero after fighting white oppression," he said.
MDC-T Harare province spokesperson, Mr Obert Gutu expressed shock at the death of Gen Mujuru.
''The untimely and tragic loss of Rtd General Solomon Mujuru has been received with a great sense of grief and sorrow by all Zimbabweans across the political divide.
"General Mujuru was an icon of the liberation struggle. He belongs to that rare and brave breed of early nationalist guerillas who put their lives on the line and decided to take up arms to liberate the people from racist colonial oppression," he said.
Mr Gutu added: "We join the Mujuru family and indeed, the entire nation, in mourning the passing on of a gallant son of the soil.
"A most humble man who despised political violence, we salute General Mujuru for tirelessly fighting against political violence and intolerance. A humble liberation icon has fallen. We salute him. May his departed soul rest in eternal peace."
Mr Gutu is Senator for Chisipite.
The Zimbabwe National Liberation War Collaborators Association described Gen Mujuru as the "epitome of courage and sacrifice for the liberation of the country."
Association spokesperson Shine Chakanyuka said Gen Mujuru was an illustrious son whose contribution to the liberation of Zimbabwe was immeasurable.
"Death is a coward. We are in pain and do hereby pass our condolences to the Vice President Mai Mujuru and the family, President, RG Mugabe and Zanu-PF," Chakanyuka said.
After learning of the untimely death of Rtd Gen Mujuru, the Zimbabwean trade and tourism delegation in Brazil sent a message of condolence.
The message was delivered by Walter Mzembi, the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry in the company of Ambassador Thomas Bvuma, Dr Sylvester Nguni and permanent secretary Mr Munesu Munodawafa.
"On behalf of the tourism, trade and investment delegation and on my own behalf we have learnt with great shock and profound sadness the untimely passing of Rtd Gen Tapfumaneyi Mujuru. As the nation would be aware we were supposed to travel to Brazil with Vice President Joice Mujuru as the leader of the delegation on this business mission. But due to work commitments she deferred the departure initially to August 13 but we were now expecting her to join the delegation on August 19 and proceeded to meet her counterpart the vice president of Brazil Mr Michael Temer in addition to other engagements.
"Rtd General Mujuru will be remembered as a fearless and tireless military strategist and liberation icon who contributed immensely to the liberation of Zimbabwe and the consolidation of our independence and sovereignty. We extend our utmost sincere and heartfelt condolences to Mai Mujuru, her children, the party and the entire nation at large. May the Mujuru family take comfort and solace in the knowledge that our thoughts and prayers are with them at this most trying and difficult time."
Matabeleland and Midlands provinces yesterday joined in mourning Gen Mujuru.
His longtime friend, Zapu leader Dr Dumiso Dabengwa said the country had lost a true hero.
"We met in 1969 when he trained for combat under Zipra," said Dr Dabengwa.
He said they immediately became close friends because Rtd Gen Mujuru was visionary and they shared a passion for black emancipation.
He said infighting at Zipra between 1970 and 1971, Rtd Gen Mujuru crossed over to Zanla, where he became a commander under the late national hero, Josiah Magama Tongogara.
"Even then, we were close and continued to work together on issues of national development. He was a brave man who was not afraid to speak his mind. Until his death, he was a steadfast revolutionary who gave his all for his country," he said.
Dr Dabengwa said Rtd Gen Mujuru was an acting Zanla commander until more infighting caused the formation of the Zimbabwe People's Army (Zipa), a united force of Zipra and Zanla, which he jointly led with the late Nikita Mangena.
"I was one of the many people who celebrated when he was named Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army, together with the late Lookout Masuku, soon after independence.
"We continued working closely when I was a Zanu-PF Politburo member. He had stunning insights into problems that the country was facing and often came up with innovative solutions.
"It is very sad and painful to lose a friend like him. He toiled for the good of this country. This was not the proper way for him to go."
Zanu-PF secretary for education, Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu said the country had lost a true cadre.
"Mujuru was a true cadre and a great man. I knew him way back when he worked with the likes of the late Cde Nikita Mangena during the liberation struggle until we came back into the country in 1980," said Dr Ndlovu.
Zanu-PF Midlands province chairman Jason Machaya said: "We have lost a true hero. His history and achievement are too long to chronicle."
The First Lady Grace Mugabe flanked VP Mujuru at her residence.
The mourners included representatives from diverse backgrounds including politics, business and traditional leaders.
President of the Zimbabwe Chiefs Council, Chief Fortune Charumbira said death had robbed Zimbabwe of a gallant freedom fighter and leader.
"For this moment I can say God has decided to forsake us because we are now left unprotected as a country. This was a man who not only emancipated the country but was also the only surviving commander from the liberation struggle.
"Given the friction that is in the country at the moment, we needed people like General Mujuru. He was a sober person and had a balancing role to play in the current scenario," he said.
Gen Mujuru, he said, was a sober leader who fought for the majority of Zimbabweans to have access to their land and resources and would be solely missed by many.
Zanu-PF Harare provincial chairman Amos Midzi said Gen Mujuru's death came as a shock.
"The loss is a shocker and tragedy at the same time. For a man who travelled the way he travelled in terms of fighting for the freedom of the country, one could never imagine that he had to go that way.
"This is a loss that is difficult to imagine, he was a simple man who was not difficult to approach and could speak to anyone, we shall all miss him," he said.
His counterpart from Mashonaland Central Dickson Mafios described Gen Mujuru's death as painful.
"We are shocked and pained by his death, he was indeed a pillar of the struggle and the whole nation and united everyone in the party.
"He was humble and approachable and offered advice on various issues from politics to business, we have lost a good man indeed," he said.
MDC-T spokesperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora commended Gen Mujuru for his role during and after independence.
"The MDC-T family is very saddened at the death of General Mujuru, his works before and after independence objectively and undoubtedly qualifies him to be a national hero after fighting white oppression," he said.
MDC-T Harare province spokesperson, Mr Obert Gutu expressed shock at the death of Gen Mujuru.
''The untimely and tragic loss of Rtd General Solomon Mujuru has been received with a great sense of grief and sorrow by all Zimbabweans across the political divide.
"General Mujuru was an icon of the liberation struggle. He belongs to that rare and brave breed of early nationalist guerillas who put their lives on the line and decided to take up arms to liberate the people from racist colonial oppression," he said.
Mr Gutu added: "We join the Mujuru family and indeed, the entire nation, in mourning the passing on of a gallant son of the soil.
"A most humble man who despised political violence, we salute General Mujuru for tirelessly fighting against political violence and intolerance. A humble liberation icon has fallen. We salute him. May his departed soul rest in eternal peace."
Mr Gutu is Senator for Chisipite.
The Zimbabwe National Liberation War Collaborators Association described Gen Mujuru as the "epitome of courage and sacrifice for the liberation of the country."
Association spokesperson Shine Chakanyuka said Gen Mujuru was an illustrious son whose contribution to the liberation of Zimbabwe was immeasurable.
"Death is a coward. We are in pain and do hereby pass our condolences to the Vice President Mai Mujuru and the family, President, RG Mugabe and Zanu-PF," Chakanyuka said.
After learning of the untimely death of Rtd Gen Mujuru, the Zimbabwean trade and tourism delegation in Brazil sent a message of condolence.
The message was delivered by Walter Mzembi, the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry in the company of Ambassador Thomas Bvuma, Dr Sylvester Nguni and permanent secretary Mr Munesu Munodawafa.
"On behalf of the tourism, trade and investment delegation and on my own behalf we have learnt with great shock and profound sadness the untimely passing of Rtd Gen Tapfumaneyi Mujuru. As the nation would be aware we were supposed to travel to Brazil with Vice President Joice Mujuru as the leader of the delegation on this business mission. But due to work commitments she deferred the departure initially to August 13 but we were now expecting her to join the delegation on August 19 and proceeded to meet her counterpart the vice president of Brazil Mr Michael Temer in addition to other engagements.
"Rtd General Mujuru will be remembered as a fearless and tireless military strategist and liberation icon who contributed immensely to the liberation of Zimbabwe and the consolidation of our independence and sovereignty. We extend our utmost sincere and heartfelt condolences to Mai Mujuru, her children, the party and the entire nation at large. May the Mujuru family take comfort and solace in the knowledge that our thoughts and prayers are with them at this most trying and difficult time."
Matabeleland and Midlands provinces yesterday joined in mourning Gen Mujuru.
His longtime friend, Zapu leader Dr Dumiso Dabengwa said the country had lost a true hero.
"We met in 1969 when he trained for combat under Zipra," said Dr Dabengwa.
He said they immediately became close friends because Rtd Gen Mujuru was visionary and they shared a passion for black emancipation.
He said infighting at Zipra between 1970 and 1971, Rtd Gen Mujuru crossed over to Zanla, where he became a commander under the late national hero, Josiah Magama Tongogara.
"Even then, we were close and continued to work together on issues of national development. He was a brave man who was not afraid to speak his mind. Until his death, he was a steadfast revolutionary who gave his all for his country," he said.
Dr Dabengwa said Rtd Gen Mujuru was an acting Zanla commander until more infighting caused the formation of the Zimbabwe People's Army (Zipa), a united force of Zipra and Zanla, which he jointly led with the late Nikita Mangena.
"I was one of the many people who celebrated when he was named Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army, together with the late Lookout Masuku, soon after independence.
"We continued working closely when I was a Zanu-PF Politburo member. He had stunning insights into problems that the country was facing and often came up with innovative solutions.
"It is very sad and painful to lose a friend like him. He toiled for the good of this country. This was not the proper way for him to go."
Zanu-PF secretary for education, Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu said the country had lost a true cadre.
"Mujuru was a true cadre and a great man. I knew him way back when he worked with the likes of the late Cde Nikita Mangena during the liberation struggle until we came back into the country in 1980," said Dr Ndlovu.
Zanu-PF Midlands province chairman Jason Machaya said: "We have lost a true hero. His history and achievement are too long to chronicle."
Source - TH
