Someone called Chiringa declared national hero

The Permanent Secretary for Harare Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cosmas Chiringa, who died at West End Hospital on Monday, has been declared a national hero.

Chiringa, a veteran of Zimbabwe's liberation struggle, succumbed to heart failure at the age of 67.

The announcement was made by Charles Tawengwa, the Zanu-PF Secretary for Education, Ideology and Research and Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Province, when he visited the Chiringa family at their home in Newlands on Monday night.

"After consultations with his Politburo members, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is the First Secretary of the party, has conferred national hero status on the late Chiringa," Tawengwa said.

He described the late public servant as a distinguished nation builder who dedicated his life to the liberation struggle and the development of Zimbabwe after independence.

"He was a seasoned public administrator and servant of the people of Zimbabwe. He dedicated his life to the struggle for national independence, post-independence and public service," Tawengwa added.

Godwills Masimirembwa, who accompanied the minister to the family home, also paid tribute to Chiringa, describing him as a committed cadre who played a key role in implementing government programmes in Harare.

"He organised Government programmes in Harare and relayed messages about party and Government initiatives. We have lost a dedicated cadre who was committed to the development of the country," Masimirembwa said.

Zanu-PF Secretary for Economic Affairs Andy Mhlanga, a close associate of the late national hero, said the two trained together in Mozambique during the liberation struggle.

"We were together in Mozambique during the liberation struggle. We operated in different provinces, but we met soon after independence," Mhlanga said.

He added that Chiringa played a key role in championing several development programmes in Harare during his time in public service.

Family members also welcomed the honour, with his daughter Kudakwashe Chiringa expressing gratitude to President Mnangagwa and the Zanu-PF leadership.

"We appreciate the conferment of national hero status on our father. We are very happy as a family that the role played by our father towards the development of Zimbabwe has been recognised," she said.

Chiringa was born on December 10, 1960, and is survived by his wife, four children and six grandchildren.

Burial arrangements will be announced in due course, while mourners are gathered at his family home at 32 Victoria Road in Newlands, Harare.