His Excellency, President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has laid to rest three illustrious sons of the liberation struggle while urging the public to remain vigilant and honest.
Speaking from the National Heroes Acre, this Monday morning, President Mnangagwa noted that the lives of the late National heroes serves as an example of sacrifice and hard work, hence the need to take a leaf from it.
"On behalf of the nation, our ruling, revolutionary mass Party, ZANU PF, Government, my family, and indeed on my behalf, I wish to once again extend my heartfelt condolences to the Mupamaonde, Chiringa, and Chingono families. This follows the demise of three gallant sons of the soil and veterans of our liberation struggle who served Zimbabwe, with distinction across different epochs of our nation," Cde Mnangagwa said.
"Comrade Elison Mupamaonde, passed on, on the 3rd of March 2026 at St Albert’s Mission Hospital at the age of 76, Comrade Cosmas Chiringa, a dedicated career public servant left us on 9 March 2026, at West End Hospital, at the age of 67 and Major General (Rtd) Dr. Hebert Chingono, a decorated commander, passed on in Mazowe, on 15 March 2026, at the age of 68. We share the sorrow with the three bereaved families. These gallant National Heroes we are laying to rest at this National Heroes Shrine were mentors, and standard bearers, whose legacies will inspire generations to come. Their impact extends from the courageous footprints of our liberation war, professional echelons of our military and civil service. They served with unflinching patriotism consistency, persistence, humility and distinction; they led with honour, and selflessness, earning their place here, among the departed illustrious sons and daughters of Zimbabwe."
President Mnangagwa added that it is necessary for Zimbabweans to search within their souls for the good of their motherland, Zimbabwe.
"In an era of hybrid threats and rapid technological changes, you must continue to sharpen your capabilities. Align your professional training with our national aspirations. I call upon the nation to take the occasion of this interment of our three departed heroes, to renew our individual and collective sense of national purpose. Let us honour the late Comrades, Mupamaonde, Major Gen (Rtd) Chingono and Cosmas Chiringa by ensuring that our peace is the bedrock upon which we build sustainable development, modernisation and prosperity.
"When situations needed brave, reliable and dependable men, who could shield others from enemy attack, these three departed heroes, always availed themselves. Inspired by their works, may us, who remain, have a culture of choosing that which is good against that which is evil. Let us always shield our people, national policies and leadership from detractors and malcontents. This critical stage of our revolution, calls for cadres and citizens who are unflinchingly patriotic and trustworthy. Zvomene, zvomene, patiri seNyika, tinoda vanhu vakavimbika, nguva dzose, siku ne sikati."
President Mnangagwa took time to highlight that amidst ongoing conflict in the Middle East his Government has stopped at nothing to help avert the situation.
"The impact of that war has shaken the entire globe, including here in our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe. While, my Government has put in place measures to shield us from unforeseen and potential shocks, we must remain vigilant and focused. ‘Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhu-le-ke-lwe ngabanikazi balo’. Meanwhile, we will continue to structurally transform our economy, ensuring that our finite resources are processed and value-added at source, for the benefit of our people. Our partners and investors across all sectors particularly in mining, have a duty to ensure, durable and mutually beneficial collaboration. The doors of my Administration remain open for complementary economic relations."
He thanked the bereaved families for sharing the lives of the departed cadres.
"Finally, to the Mupamaonde, Chingono, and Chiringa families, our country will forever remain grateful to you for sharing the lives of these three illustrious sons of Zimbabwe, with us. May you continue to be comforted by the Almighty God. To our departed Comrades: I say to you, Go well, our gallant fighters. Go well, our tireless civil servants.Go well, defenders of our Sovereignty. You have fought a good fight. You have finished your course. You have kept the faith. May your souls rest in eternal peace, and may your legacies continue to inspire generations to come. Long live our Heroes. Long live our Unity, Peace, and Development."