Mnangagwa denies Sandi-Moyo heroine status

Former Bulawayo Provincial Affairs minister Eunice Sandi-Moyo, who passed away this week, was denied national heroine status yesterday, with President Emmerson Mnangagwa announcing that she would receive a State-assisted burial.

Sandi-Moyo, aged 78, died at Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo after a prolonged battle with hypertension.

"In recognition of her remarkable service to our nation, I am honored to grant Mama Sandi-Moyo the privilege of a State-assisted funeral and burial. May her family find solace in the esteem she earned and deserved from all of us who had the privilege of working and interacting with her," Mnangagwa stated in his condolence message.

While acknowledging Sandi-Moyo's dedication to nationalist ideals, Mnangagwa emphasized her role as a stalwart nationalist.

"As a committed, seasoned nationalist deeply entrenched in the liberation politics of our nation, the late Amai Moyo will be remembered for her exceptional contributions to Metropolitan Bulawayo province and our entire nation during the first republic," Mnangagwa remarked.

"The late Comrade Sandi demonstrated exceptional dedication in mobilizing communities for national development, foreshadowing our current devolution policy, which has become a cornerstone of the second republic, facilitating balanced and community-specific development that leaves no one and no place behind."

Sandi-Moyo, a member of ZANU-PF's politburo, was born on November 8, 1946, in Bulilima-Mangwe, Matabeleland South province.