Chiwenga dies

Francis Manyowa Chiwenga, uncle to Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander General Constantine Chiwenga has died.

He succumbed to diabetes at the age of 74 on Thursday last week.

At a church service held at One Commando Barracks for Manyowa Chiwenga, Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa said the Chiwenga family should look ahead as God had made his decision.

 "I saw that he was suffering when I visited him in hospital," he said. "He was not able to talk and when I introduced myself, he opened his eyes and closed them again. We wanted to take him into the intensive care unit since he was suffering from several ailments. We did not know that God had other plans. If you want God to laugh at you, show God your plans because he is the one who knows what the future holds for all of us."

Gen Chiwenga said his uncle was raised by his parents and he used to call him brother since they shared everything.

"I used to call him brother," he said. "We shared everything, but he was my uncle and I did not know that until I grew up. He attended Mount St Mary's and St Paul's Musami schools. He learnt building at Musami, specialising in stone work. He was a specialist in stone work."

Gen Chiwenga said upon completion of his education,  Manyowa Chiwenga ventured into politics, joining Zapu.

He said  Manyowa Chiwenga was sentenced to six years in prison for stealing a firearm from a British policeman, but he served three years.

Gen Chiwenga said upon his release, Manyowa Chiwenga continued with revolutionary activities and became logistics leader in the Wedza area responsible for providing food to fighters of the liberation struggle.

"At one time he served me food, but he did not recognise me," he said. "That is when I realised that people were afraid to look at the faces of guerillas during the liberation struggle."

 Manyowa Chiwenga is survived by four children, several grandchildren and great grandchildren.