Pallbearers carry a casket bearing the body of national hero Cde Harold Chirenda on arrival at Manyame Airbase in Harare yesterday. — (See story on Page 2)
Farirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter
The body of national hero Lieutenant-Colonel (Retired) Harold Mtandwa Chirenda arrived in Harare yesterday evening from Bulawayo ahead of burial at the National Heroes Acre today. Rtd Lt-Col Chirenda (70), whose Chimurenga name was Elliot Masendu, died at United Bulawayo Hospitals on New Year’s Day after a long illness.
The body of the national hero arrived aboard an Air Force of Zimbabwe craft at Manyame Airbase in the company of his wife, family members, Minister of State for Bulawayo province Eunice Sandi-Moyo and Senator Angeline Masuku, among others.
The body was received by Zanu-PF Politburo members Cdes Sikhanyiso Ndlovu and Absolom Sikhosana, Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs Mr Melusi Matshiya and senior military officers who included Major-Generals Trust Mugoba and Nicholas Dube.
The body was taken to the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Parlour at One Commando Barracks where a memorial service was held.
Mr Matshiya said the body would be taken to Stodart Hall in Mbare this morning.
“The body will lie here today (yesterday) and then it will be taken to Stodart Hall in Mbare as per tradition at 7am tomorrow,” he said.
Mr Matshiya said Acting President Joice Mujuru, Government officials, members of the public and the family would view the body at Stodart Hall after which it would be taken to its final resting place at the National Heroes Acre.
Transport will be provided for mourners wishing to attend the burial at the usual pick-up points in the capital. Government also provided transport and accommodation for mourners who came from Bulawayo.
Acting President Mujuru will address mourners at the National Heroes Acre.
Bulawayo residents yesterday bade farewell to Rtd Lt-Col Chirenda.
Family members, senior Government officials, Zanu-PF Politburo members and army officers saw off Rtd Lt-Col Chirenda’s body at Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport.
Earlier, a military parade for the national hero was held at Imbizo Barracks in Bulawayo. Hundreds of people, including Zimbabwe National Army Commander Lt-General Phillip Valerio Sibanda, senior Government officials, and Zapu leader Dr Dumiso Dabengwa were in attendance.
Politicians who worked with him during and after the Second Chimurenga described the Rtd Lt-Col Chirenda as a true hero and a brave fighter who sacrificed much to see Zimbabwe independent.
Rtd Lt-Col Chirenda was born on August 1, 1944 in Harare and attended Shingirai Primary School from 1950 to 1956. He then enrolled at Fletcher High School for his secondary education.
He was one of the 90 pioneer freedom fighters from Zapu’s military wing, Zipra, who underwent training in Algeria from 1964 to 1965.
After training, he was deployed to Tanzania where he worked with other senior Zapu cadres who included the late national heroes Albert Nxele, Gen Lookout Masuku and Rtd Brigadier-Gen Ambrose Mutinhiri.
In 1966, Rtd Lt-Col Chirenda, late Zipra commander Gen Nikita Mangena, Cde Tapson Sibanda and Rtd Brig-Gen Mutinhiri, were deployed to Morogoro as instructors under Cde Nxele’s command.
There, he trained groups that had people like Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Dr Obert Mpofu, the late Major-Gen Jevan Maseko, the late Gen Solomon Mujuru and Rtd Brig-Gen Abel Mazinyane.
At independence, Rtd Lt-Col Chirenda was attested into the ZNA and was instrumental in the integration of Zanla, Zipra and the Rhodesian Army.
In 1982 he was appointed head of operations at army headquarters and also held several positions such as chief instructor at the Zimbabwe Military Academy.
In 1983, he became the first ZDF chief delegate to the International Military Sports Council. He successfully lobbied for admission of the ZDF into the world military sports body the same year in Lagos, Nigeria.
He was a founder member of Black Rhinos football club in 1983 when the team joined the Zimbabwe Football Association Division One before being promoted to the then Super League the following year.
Rtd Lt-Col Chirenda is survived by his wife, nine children and 18 grandchildren.