Matimba laid to rest

MDC founder member and senior staff member Brighton Matimba was today laid to rest in his rural home of Mbire.

This was announced by the MDC-T indicating that he was buried on Tuesday..

Having known Matimba since his days as trade Union leader, President Tsvangirai said he had lost many dedicated cadres in the struggle for democracy and good governance.

"I have seen so much. I have lost so much. I have witnessed so much,"he said.

Matimba had been in charge of the social welfare department in the Party. This is the department that was responsible for recording every violent activity against MDC members around the country as well as giving them support for survival after attacks by the Zanu PF regime.

Describing some of the most horrendous incidences in graphic detail, President Tsvangirai said Matimba was an encyclopedia of the brutality of this regime. He said his task was not an easy one particularly in the run up to the sham 2008 June election rerun where thousands of MDC members were murdered, maimed or displaced especially in the Mashonaland areas. The MDC had won the March polls but ZANU PF was not ready to accept defeat.

"I can confirm that Matimba is irreplaceable," said President Tsvangirai. "Every person has a purpose. God had a purpose for this man.

He added that the dedication of Matimba was unparalleled and his loyalty unquestioned. "There are shareholders and stakeholders in every struggle. Matimba was a stakeholder. He never counted the cost. He played his part well," President Tsvangirai said.

Mr Douglas Mwonzora, the party Secretary General said while the party mourns the loss of a humble man, he realise that real war veterans would never turn against the people.

"Matimba was a founder member, but one would never tell just by looking at him. He was a simple and respectful man. It tells me the nature of true heroes. Real war veterans. They are not out to prove who they are, they simply serve. Those who fought the war will never deny food aid to any body. They will never assault people for diverging views. They will never give orders that fight the people's will," Mwonzora said.

He added that the regime was in its sunset moment and the truth about the past elections is coming to light now.

"ZANU PF knows that President Tsvangirai has never lost an election. Now they are admitting their loss." Mwonzora said.

Speaker after speaker spoke of how Matimba had managed to handle survivors of ZANU PF brutality with love and compassion.