The ManicaPost
Abel Zhakata Senior Reporter
A DARK cloud hang over Checheche on Wednesday as thousands of mourners converged at the growth point to give a resounding send-off to six Zanu-PF youths who perished in last Sunday’s accident.
The ruling party accorded district heroes’ status to the late cadres who died while returning from Gaza Stadium where they had attended the launch of the residential stands programme. It was an emotional event as relatives and party members were at a loss of words to describe the untimely fate that shocked many.
Chipinge South legislator, Cde Enock Porusingazi, gave an emotional recount of how the accident occurred as he had travelled with the youths on the fateful day though using a different vehicle.
“It was tragic. We had finished the business of the day and they got into the lorry. Along the way the boards of the loading box opened and the occupants were thrown out on the tarmac. Two of them died on the spot and the other four who were seriously injured died upon admission at hospital.
“We carried some of the injured to hospital. It was a painful sight and we have lost dedicated youths who worked hard to champion party programmes in Checheche,” he said.
The six — Peter Ndlovu, Jimmy Hletsiwa, Phenias Kazende, Douglas Mashava, Tawengwa Zimhira and Driver Murambo – were later buried at Checheche Heroes’ Acre after a heartbreaking funeral parade that was attended by senior party members.
Addressing mourners at the funeral parade held at Checheche Growth Point, national political commissar, Cde Saviour Kasukuwere said the late cadres were befitting heroes who died while working for the party and country at large.
“I have been sent by President Mugabe to convey Zanu-PF’s condolences to the six families who lost their loved ones. Zanu-PF is grieving with you during these dark times.
“These deceased young people represented the aspirations of all youths who are here. They are our heroes and the party has seen it fit to accord them the district heroes’ status. The will be accorded a befitting burial. What we must remember is that these cadres perished while on duty to empower youths. They were doing it for the benefit of the country,” he said.
Cde Kasukuwere said the party would assist families of the late cadres by providing them with decent accommodation as well as paying fees for school-going children who were left behind. Cde Kasukuwere said the party would cover hospital bills for those still admitted as well as acquiring medicines.
Speaking at the same occasion, national secretary for youth affairs, Cde Kudzi Chipanga, said the six’s death had shocked the party.
“As a party we are pained by the death of such hardworking cadres. This type of incident where we lose six members at one time is one of its kind. We are shocked, but we must not lose sight. Instead we must move on and advance what these fallen cadres were fighting for. They were fighting for the empowerment of youths and their good deeds must not die,” he said.
Cde Chipanga urged local authorities who would be distributing the residential stands to do it in a transparent manner.
He said families of the late youths must be the first to benefit from the stands programme they died championing for. After the parade, the six were later buried at Checheche District Heroes’ Acre where thousands of mourners converged to give them a resounding send off.
The burial was also attended by Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Cde Mandi Chimene, Zanu-PF Manicaland provincial chairman, Dr Samuel Undenge, Minister of Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment, Cde Patrick Zhuwao, Chipinge South legislator, Cde Enock Porusingazi, Buhera South legislator, Cde Joseph Chinotima and several other party members.
