Mnangagwa escorts Mujuru's casket

Hundreds of people this Thursday thronged One Commando Barracks where a funeral parade for the late Retired General Solomon Mujuru was held.

The funeral parade started at around 2pm with the arrival of the late commander's casket which was flanked by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander, General Constantine Chiwenga, Zimbabwe National Army Commander, Lieutenant General Philip Valerio Sibanda and Air Marshal Perence Shiri on one side while on the other side was Retired Major General Mike Nyambuya, Retired Air Vice Marshal Henry Muchena and Air Vice Marshal Abu Basuthu.

Escorting the casket was the wife of the late General, Vice President Joice Mujuru, her four daughters, Minister of State Security, Sydney Sekeramayi, Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa and other relatives.

Addressing hundreds of people who were at the parade, Commander Defence Forces General Chiwenga described the late General Mujuru as an icon and chief strategist of the liberation struggle.

He said the late Mujuru was one of the pioneers of the armed struggle who laid the foundation of the liberation war and led 45 freedom fighters who attacked Altena farm, better known as Ambuya Nehanda area during the liberation struggle.

The late General also played a pivotal role during the ceasefire which later led to Zimbabwe's independence.

General Chiwenga hailed the late General Mujuru for leading several battles during the times when other commanders were in prison and also stood firm on the principles of the armed struggle when others swayed.

The remains of the late General will be flown to his rural home in Sadza in Chikomba where thousands of people are expected to pay their last respects to one of the country's illustrious and gallant sons.

From Chikomba the remains of the late General will be taken to Marondera before being flown to Harare on the same day.

The late Retired General Mujuru's remains will lie in state on Friday at his Chisipite home in Harare before burial at the National Heroes Acre in on Saturday.

Meanwhile, survivors of ZANU's highest decision making body during the liberation struggle, Dare Rechimurenga (War Council) have described the late commander par excellence, General Solomon Mujuru as a fierce fighter, whose great strategies in the struggle earned him honour and trust of the body, resulting in him attaining great responsibilities during and after the liberation war.

Former cabinet minister, Kumbirai Kangai who taught the late General Mujuru in standard four and later met him in the liberation struggle, described him as a unifier whose strategies made it possible for the ZANLA and ZIPRA forces to unite at a time when members of the Dare Rechimurenga were incarcerated.

Zanu PF Secretary for Information and Publicity, Rugare Gumbo who was also a member of the Dare Rechimurenga described the late commander par excellence as a fierce fighter who contributed immensely to the liberation of Zimbabwe.

The Dare ReChimurenga or War Council for ZANLA constituted the ZANU political leadership during the war and in 1976 with most of its members still incarcerated in Zambia, they instructed the late General Mujuru to form the Zimbabwe People's Army (ZIPA) which was a combination of ZANLA and ZIPRA forces which he commanded well.