The Sunday News
Patrick Chitumba, Midlands Bureau Chief
VICE-President Emmerson Mnangagwa has commended Zimbabweans for remaining resolute under the leadership of President Mugabe especially in 2008 when the country was under siege from Britain and her allies who wanted to effect illegal regime change. VP Mnangagwa said areas like Mberengwa continued voting for the revolutionary party, an indication that there was unity of purpose towards the socio-economic development of the country.
Addressing hundreds of mourners from all walks of life gathered for the burial of the late Lucious Moyo, the younger brother to Zanu-PF deputy secretary for administration Cde July Moyo, at his homestead in Humbani Village in Mberengwa yesterday, VP Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe was a unitary state.
Moyo (61), died in a car accident on Monday last week in Gwanda.
“Zimbabwe is a unitary state and Zimbabweans have remained resolute. They have remained supporting the revolutionary party under the leadership of President Mugabe,” he said.
“In 2008, we were under siege from external forces but it is through areas like Mberengwa that we remained in power and that must be commended.”
The Vice-President urged Zimbabweans to work together for the development of the country.
He said he was happy to note that people attending the funeral were from all walks of life and speaking different languages.
“That is the true reflection of the Zimbabwe we live in. You might be Ndebele, Shona or any other tribe but it is indeed gratifying to note that you are accepted anywhere in the country,” said VP Mnangagwa.
He said Zimbabweans should not forget that the country came after a protracted liberation struggle, adding that the struggle had brought about freedoms of expression and association among other freedoms.
“When I went to war, my mother suffered and had to go and fetch water by herself but just like other gallant sons and daughters of the soil who went to war we were not living in a free country, free from oppression.
“So going to war like what we did was good for us,” he said.
VP Mnangagwa said God was with the people who chose to go to war as evidenced by the attainment of independence.
He said God’s time was everything, urging the Moyo family to remain united and focused at their time of bereavement.
He said Moyo, who was born in 1954, joined the public service in 1981, working as an internal auditor in Matabeleland South.
VP Mnangagwa said Moyo also worked for the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development and other Government ministries until his untimely death.
“At 61, he was a baby because in Zanu PF, we are blessed, we live for many years,” the VP said.
“We are devastated; I can’t even express the pain that I am feeling now. We have lost a great worker, a dedicated person who loved his work,” said Cde Ncube.
The Minister of Home Affairs, Cde Kembo Mohadi, said he worked with Moyo very well.
He said Moyo was an advocate for socio- economic
Also present at the funeral was Zanu PF spokesperson and Economic Planning Minister Cde Simon Khaya Moyo, Foreign Affairs Minister Cde Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, Minister of State for Liaising on Psychomotor Activities in Education and Vocational Training Josiah Hungwe, among other Government officials.
Moyo is survived by his wife and four children.
