Mujuru declared a national hero, funeral parade at One Commando Barracks today

GENERAL Solomon Mujuru, who died in a fire at his farmhouse in Beatrice, has been declared a national hero. He will be buried at the National Heroes Acre on Saturday.

A funeral parade in his honour will be held at One Commando Barracks in Harare this afternoon.

Director of Urban Communications Services in the Ministry of Media, Information and Publicity, Retired Major Anywhere Mutambudzi said people were expected to be seated by 1pm.

Mujuru's remains will be flown to Sadza, Chivhu district, where he was born and later to Marondera, the capital for Mashonaland East tomorrow.

They will return the same day to lie in state at his residence before burial the following day.

The Politburo met briefly and unanimously declared him a national hero.

Zanu-PF national chairman Simon Khaya Moyo led a delegation to the Mujuru residence in Chisipite to convey the message to Vice President Joice Mujuru and the family.

Khaya-Moyo said the decision was unanimous.

Khaya Moyo said the death shocked everyone including President Mugabe, whom he said was clearly devastated when he left for the Sadc Summit in Angola.

He said this was a difficult time for Amai Mujuru, the family and the whole country.

Vice President John Nkomo sent his condolence message to President Mugabe and the Mujuru family yesterday.