Staff Reporter
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has announced that the late national hero Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo will be buried on Monday at the National Heroes Acre.
The President made the announcement when he visited the Moyo family home in Bulawayo yesterday to convey his condolences.
Addressing mourners gathered at the late Ambassador Khaya Moyo’s home in Hillside, President Mnangagwa thanked the Moyo family for accepting his request to have the late hero buried on Monday when he comes back from Zambia from a meeting with the Presidents of Zambia and Botswana.
“I am here because this man has been my friend for ages. It was on early Sunday that l got a telephone call from the Vice President Constantine Chiwenga telling me that Khaya Moyo was no more. We met from 1979 during the Lancaster house talks when l was adviser to the late President Robert Mugabe and he was special assistance to the late Dr Joshua Nkomo. The Presidents would consult each other and as assistants we would consult each other, that is how we became very close friends.
“I do not think he knows any work other than working for his country and working for his people. After independence we both came home and he worked in the government as a civil servant and rose to be in the central government. When the Second Republic came, l will say this, here in Bulawayo you caused a lot for me. After the 19th youth interface, the President told me that he would demote me. I did not do anything wrong for the late President, it was Grace. So, it was on a Saturday and Monday l was fired. When l came back l appointed the late Cde Moyo in the Politburo as the Secretary for Information,” said President Mnangagwa.
Family spokesperson, Isaac Moyo thanked the President and Government for conferring the late Ambassador Moyo, the national hero’s status and for supporting the family during this difficult time.
“We want to offer our profound gratitude for conferring our late brother, husband, and uncle the national hero’s status. We really appreciate the honouring of his life works and contribution to the country. We really appreciate that you have taken time to see us and come and mourn with us. We really appreciate this for making this whole burden lighter.” He said.
The late Ambassador Moyo, who died at Mater Dei hospital in Bulawayo on Sunday after a long illness, held several key appointments, among them diplomat, Cabinet Minister and Senator. At the time of his death, he was the Senator for Bulilima and Mangwe constituencies.
