'Zanu-PF victory a toast for Heroes' Day'

Thousands of people in Mashonaland Central are expected to throng the provincial Heroes' Acre to mark this year's Heroes' Day commemorations today following Zanu-PF's overwhelming victory in the harmonised elections.

Speaking during a preparatory meeting attended by provincial heads or their representatives with the Minister of State for Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs in Bindura, provincial administrator Mr Cosmas Chiringa said it was all systems go for the commemorations.

"We have all the committees in place and they are already working round the clock to ensure commemorations with a difference," he said.

"This year we are expecting thousands of people to attend as the Heroes' Day commemorations are coming hard on the heels of Zanu-PF's overwhelming victory in Mashonaland Central Province where it won all the 18 National Assembly seats.

"All our eight administrative districts are also ready for the commemorations. We want to ensure that everything goes according to plan and give our departed comrades the honour they deserve. They sacrificed a lot for the freedom we are enjoying today and we should all salute them for the sacrifices."

Mr Chiringa said Mashonaland Central was one of the provinces that suffered the brunt of the liberation struggle because of its proximity to Mozambique and Zambia where liberation movements had their bases.

"As a province that suffered the brunt of the liberation struggle, Heroes' Day should be respected by all," he said.

"This day means a lot to the province and we expect civil servants to be in attendance.

"We have realised that some civil servants view Independence and Heroes' Day commemorations as ordinary holidays, but we want to remind them that they also have a role to play in attending these important events.

"They should take a leaf from uniformed forces who are always in attendance in their full fatigue. We should all be patriotic and contribute towards the success of these national events."

Rehearsals for the commemorations were held on Friday and Sunday. Mr Chiringa said they had raised enough resources to cater for this year's commemorations as well as feeding families of the fallen heroes buried at the provincial shrine or their respective homes.

"We want to ensure that the families of the fallen heroes are well catered for because they should be accorded the respect they deserve," he said.

"We also want to ensure that there is order unlike in previous years when some of the families were left disgruntled after failing to get the recognition that they deserve."