……as he is declared a national hero

By Staff Reporter

President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday mourned the death of former Cabinet Minister and ZANU PF Secretary for Information and Publicity, Cde Simon Khaya Moyo describing him as a dedicated cadre who devoted much of his adult life to serving the nation.

Speaking to the media soon after his arrival from South Africa where he had gone to attend the Second Intra Africa Trade Fair, President Mnangagwa said that Cde Moyo was a consistent member who was unwavering in his dedication to the Party.

“I don’t think he (Cde Moyo) had any adult life outside the struggle. From Makerere University, he joined the struggle on the ZAPU side and has been with us throughout. He then progressed in the Party structures in ZAPU and reached the Central Committee level. In 1987 when we merged ZAPU and ZANU, again he was in the Central Committee and down the line he has been promoted to be a member of the Politburo by former President Robert Mugabe.

“He held several positions in Government. I don’t know of any of his life outside politics, outside revolution and outside serving his country in the public sector. So we have indeed lost a committed articulate comrade among us and we feel poorer without him,” said President Mnangagwa.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs and ZANU PF National Chairman, Cde Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri announced yesterday that the Party had declared the late Cde Moyo a national hero.

“ZANU PF further salutes the President Cde E.D Mnangagwa and the entirety of the Party for giving our beloved Spokesperson and Liberation stalwart, the befitting status of a National Hero. Indeed and without any shadow of doubt, the unanimity in the declaration of National Hero status among the entirety of the leadership and stakeholders attests to the late Hero’s proven work, patriotism and gallant exploits in defending the People’s Revolution. The nation is indebted to his unwavering life of service to our people and nation at large as illustrated in his book ‘Service to My Country’,” said Cde Muchinguri.

Cde Moyo died on Sunday at Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo. His remains are to be interred at the National Heroes Acre on a date to be announced soon.