by Staff reporter

Zanu-PF Youth League yesterday joined the rest of the nation in mourning the passing on of National Heroes, Major General (Rtd) Paradzai Zimondi and Minister Joel Biggie Matiza, last week due to COVID-19-related illnesses.

In a press statement, the Zanu-PF Youth League said they were in abject sorrow following the passing in quick succession of the two country’s most eminent, loyal and hardworking sons and drivers of the Zanu-PF revolutionary Agenda of unity, peace and development.

“We join his Excellency, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the rest of the nation of Zimbabwe and the bereaved families, in mourning Cdes Zimondi and Matiza,” reads part of the statement.

The Youth League chronicled the liberation history of Cde Zimondi and his work experience post-independence as Commissioner General of the Prisons and Correctional Services, describing him as a good leader who always encouraged young officers to further their education and set frontier targets for themselves and that of the organisation.

“Cde Matiza better known as Cde JB was one youth-friendly Minister best remembered for his unfailing humbleness and eagerness to assist, even dating back to his youthful days when he was a sporting talent scout and developer, specialising in soccer, using the five-aside version of the game (futsai) as an entry point,” reads the statement.

The Youth League said the COVID-19 pandemic knows no boundaries, political or otherwise, urging every citizen to respect all lockdown measures and all COVID-19 preventive guidelines and protocols for everyone’s wellbeing.

Cdes Zimondi and Matiza died aged 73 and 60 respectively and will be buried at the national heroes acre, this Wednesday after they were accorded the national heroes status.  Its going to be a triple burial for the fallen national heroes as the late Zimondi and Matiza will be buried on the same occasion with the late Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister,  Lieutenant General (Retired) Dr Sibusiso Moyo.