State-assisted funeral for Lillian Matiza

**President Emmerson Mnagagwa, flanked by his deputies Dr Constantino Chiwenga, left, and Kembo Mohadi at the funeral of Lillian Matiza**

Zim Now Writer

Government has conferred a State-assisted funeral to Lillian Matiza, nee Mbonjani, widow to national hero and former Cabinet Minister Joel Biggie Matiza, following her death in Harare on Sunday evening.

Matiza suddenly fell ill before being rushed to hospital where she was pronounced dead.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday visited the Matizas’ Borrowdale residence where he consoled the family before conferring a State-assisted funeral on Matiza, whose burial is set for today at Warren Hills Cemetery.

Her husband, who died at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, was Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister and Zanu PF provincial chairperson for Mashonaland East Province.

The President was accompanied by his two Vice Presidents, Dr Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi, party chairman Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, several Cabinet ministers, and senior Zanu PF officials, among others.

Addressing mourners, President Mnangagwa said he was saddened to hear about Mrs Matiza’s death as he thought she would provide guidance and support to the children following the death of her husband and father to her children in January 2021.

“Cde Biggie Matiza was one of us, very dependable. When he died, we said the mother will take care and support the children. We thought the mother would continue to help, caution children against any possible delinquencies. At one point she even came to see me with her children.”

Mourners are gathered at Number 15 Highgate Road, Borrowdale in Harare.