Illustrious, dedicated and decorated war liberators who sacrificed their lives at a tender age to the cause of Zimbabwe, national hero Morton “Dizzy” Paul Malianga and heroine Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba (Cde Shee Tapera) were buried at the National Heroes Acre in Harare yesterday.
President Mnangagwa addresses mourners gathered at the burial of National Hero Cde Morton Malianga and National Heroine Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba at the National Heroes Acre, in Harare yesterday
Cde Malianga died on January 15 after a short illness, while Dr Gwaradzimba succumbed to Covid-19 complications on the same day.
The joint burial at the National Shrine was presided over by President Mnangagwa, with Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa and Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe also in attendance, among other senior Government officials and service chiefs.
A sparse crowd gathered at the national shrine to witness the double burial, which is the third such ceremony following that of national heroines Cde Victoria Chitepo and Vivian Mwashita in 2016 and Cde George Rutanhire and Cde Maud Muzenda in 2017.
Covid-19 protocols were followed in line with the World Health Organisation regulations during the burial.
A limited number of mourners were allowed and only five members of each family were allowed to proceed to the graveside
The bodies arrived at the National Heroes Acre around 11am aboard Doves Funeral Services hearses that were being led by two gun carriages.
