Five Declared National Heroes Posthumously

The Zanu PF Politburo Monday 20 September 2021 posthumously declared the late Rabelani Choeni, Saul Gwakuba Ndlovu, Elliot Ngwabi, Professor George Kahari and Professor Sheunesu Mupepereki as national heroes.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa informed the Politburo that he had posthumously conferred national hero status on the five distinguished nationalists. Said acting Zanu PF national spokesperson, Dr Mike Bimha:

The Politburo gave a thumbs up to the decision made by the President which indeed bestowed befitting respect and honour to the heroes.

Choeni, a liberation war hero, was Zanu PF Matabeleland South provincial chairman at the time of his death in July. He succumbed to Covid-19 related complications and was buried at Malusingani in Beitbridge.

Ndlovu, also a freedom fighter and distinguished journalist, died of a heart ailment aged 87 at the United Bulawayo Hospitals on July
16 and was buried at Lady Stanley Cemetery.

He was interred at his home in Esiphezini (Mabindisa village) in Umzingwane District, Matabeleland South province.

President Mnangagwa initially conferred liberation war hero status on Ngwabi following a request from the Zanu PF leadership in
Matabeleland South province, before the status was upgraded yesterday.

He was among the four heroic freedom fighters who dramatically escaped from the tightly guarded Grey Street Prison- now Bulawayo Prison- in 1965.

The late Prof Mupepereki was a renowned academic and University of Zimbabwe lecturer. He succumbed to Covid-19 on July 10 at
Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals at the age of 70.

Prof Mupepereki was also presenter on national broadcaster, ZTV, where he co-hosted a programme called “Zvavanhu” with other
academics including the late Dr Vimbai Chivaura, Dr Tafataona Mahoso and Prof Claude Mararike.

Prof Kahari died of Covid-19 complications on July 23, three days after turning 91.

During his career, Prof Kahari served as Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Germany, Italy and Czechoslovakia.

Provinces and stakeholders were directed to submit their recommendations on heroes timeously for appropriate consideration.

ZANU PF also announced the suspension of provincial elections to pave way for preparations for this year’s 19th Annual People’s Conference.

Bimha said President Mnangagwa said the extraordinary Politburo session was necessitated by the urgency of the National Annual People’s Conference which will be held from the 25-30 October 2021.

More: The Herald