The late war veteran and Zimbabwe National Army Brigadier-General Benjamin Mabenge (Retired) has been declared a national hero.
Mabenge died in Harare on Monday at a local hospital where he has been hospitalised for the past two weeks.
His body is expected to be flown this morning to his farm in Kwekwe before it returns later in the day for burial the following day at the National Heroes Acre.
The message of his national hero status was conveyed to family members on Monday night by Defence and War Veterans Minister, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, who was accompanied by Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe. Said Muchinguri-Kashiri:
We have been sent to you as a family by the President who is also the First Secretary of our party ZANU PF to convey his, the party and Government’s condolence on the loss of Cde Matanga.
He dedicated himself to joining the family of ZANU PF, so we are equally in mourning together with you.
The President and the Government have said he should be buried alongside his colleagues at the National Heroes Acre.
Mabenge is survived by his wife, Rosegema Mabenge, and six children and 10 grandchildren.
Mourners are gathered at Subdivision 1 Woodlands, Kwekwe and at number 12 Catalina Road, in Belvedere, Harare.
More: The Herald