Major General Chanakira declared National Hero

Major General Chanakira declared National Hero

Brian Rungano Temba

The late Permanent Secretary in the office of Vice President Chiwenga (Rtd) Major General Chanakira has been declared a national hero.

Major General Chanakira died last Thursday after a short illness.

Initially he had been accorded a state assisted funeral, but after consultation President Mnangagwa elevated his recognition to national hero status.

This was confirmed by Chief Secretary to the Office of the President and Cabinet, Dr Misheck Sibanda.

“The late Major General (Rtrd) Godfrey Chanakira whose Chimurenga name was Cde Garikai Musevengana who has been granted a State-assisted funeral, has now been granted National Hero status after consultations. Burial arrangements will be announced in due course,” said Dr Sibanda.

Dr Sibanda`s statement showed that the past week has been a dark week for patriots as a number of key nationalistic figures died.

Cde Francis Komboni Gondi, whose Chimurenga name was Cde Elias Hondo died and was declared a Provincial Hero.

Cde Charles Savanhu, whose Chimurenga name was Cde Advance Chimurenga has been accorded the same status.

Former Finance Minister and ZANUPF Member of Parliament for Mount Darwin East, Cde Christopher Kuruneni, who died during the weekend in South Africa, has also been declared a Provincial Hero.

“Chief Denis Ndlovu Nhlamba of Garanyemba area in Gwanda who passed on at United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) on Saturday has been granted a State-assisted funeral, Vice President Dr. CGDN Chiwenga will represent the President at the funeral of the late Chief,” the statement further stated.