Staff Reporter

President Mnangagwa has reiterated that the people of Zimbabwe should remain united and re-commit themselves to the defence and preservation of the country’s freedom and independence.

Speaking at the National Heroes Acre today during the burial of the late Retired Major General Godfrey Chanakira, whose nom de guerre was Cde Garikai Musavengana; President Mnangagwa said that the flames of unity, peace and non-violence should continue to be at the centre of the people’s interactions at every community level.

“As we lay to rest the national hero, Major General Godfrey Chanakira at this sacred shrine, let us recommit ourselves as a nation to the defence and preservation of our revolution, independence, freedom and democracy. The flames of unity, peace, on violence, love and respect must continue to be at the centre of our interactions at every level and across communities,” said the President.

The President urged Zimbabweans to shoulder the responsibility to develop, modernise and industrialise the country. He added that the development philosophy ‘Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo’ was instructive and should embolden Zimbabweans never to tire in nation building.

President Mnangagwa bemoaned the rising cases of armed robberies and ritual murders that are occurring in the country. He exhorted stakeholders in the criminal justice to speedily deal with these emerging worrying trends.

Coming to Cde Chanakira, President Mnangagwa said that the late national hero was forced by Ian Smith’s oppressive regime to join the armed struggle to liberate the country. The President said that the war era was tough but Cde Chanakira and other comrades remained determined, resilient and committed to fighting for the independence of the country.

President Mnangagwa said that no amount of compensation would ever equal the contribution made by Cde Chanakira and other comrades during the liberation struggle. He added that in honour of the selfless service of war veterans to the country, the Second Republic would continue to improve the welfare of all war veterans.

The President further described the late Cde Chanakira as a dedicated and a hardworking cadre who distinguished himself in every task he was assigned.

Speaking at the same occasion, Austin Muziwi, nephew to the late Cde Chanakira, described the late hero as a unifier and a teacher who had love for his family and country. Muziwi added that Cde Chanakira left a legacy of honesty, humility and a true commitment to the family and the country.

Meanwhile, Cde Chanakira passed on at West End Hospital in Harare on 26 May 2022 after suffering from a heart problem. He is survived by his wife Faina and three children.