National Heroes Acre welcomes three new heroes: Dz...

National Heroes Acre welcomes three new heroes: Dzimiri, Jadagu, and Vezha

Zim Now Writer

President Emmerson Mnangagwa presided over the triple burial of national heroes Nash Nyasha Dzimiri, Tsitsi Grace Jadagu, and Brigadier-General Shadreck Vezha at the National Heroes Acre on Monday.

This was the second triple burial ceremony since Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980, with the first one taking place in 2021.

Thousands of people, from across the country’s ten provinces, gathered at the national shrine to pay their respects to the departed national heroes. The ceremony was a fitting tribute to the three individuals who had dedicated their lives to the country's liberation and development.

Nash Nyasha Dzimiri, born on June 24, 1958, in Shurugwi, was a veteran of the liberation struggle. He joined the fight for independence in 1976 and survived the Rhodesian raids on Nyadzonia and Chimoio camps in 1976 and 1977, respectively.

After independence, he was attested into the Air Force of Zimbabwe and later transferred to the Zimbabwe National Army. He left the army in 1981 and joined the intelligence service, where he rose through the ranks to become the Central Intelligence Organisation’s director for investments at the time of his death on April 16.

Brigadier-General Shadreck Vezha was born on August 10, 1961, in Chivi District. He joined the liberation struggle as a Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army combatant. After the ceasefire in 1979, he underwent further military training at Dzapasi Assembly Point Base 2 and later travelled to North Korea for advanced military training. He was attested into the Zimbabwe National Army on August 1, 1982, and rose through the ranks to become Brigadier-General in 2018.

He died in a road traffic accident on April 16.

Tsitsi Grace Jadagu, born on March 11, 1943, in Murewa, was a war collaborator during the liberation struggle. She started her political career at the age of 17 and was a member of Zapua.

After independence, she served as a councillor, senator, and held various senior posts in Zanu PF, including Women’s League Political Commissar. She died on April 18, the day the nation was celebrating its 44th independence anniversary.

The triple burial ceremony was a testament to the country's commitment to honouring its national heroes. Currently, there are 170 heroes buried at the National Heroes Acre, with 32 others accorded national hero status buried elsewhere. The ceremony was also a reminder of the country's rich history and the sacrifices made by its people during the liberation struggle.

Before the burial, church services were held in honor of the three departed national heroes. The memorial service for Dzimiri was held at his Mt. Pleasant house, while that of Jadagu was held in Chitungwiza. Brig. Gen. Vezha's service was held at Charles Gumbo Barracks (formerly One Commando Barracks) in Harare.

The families of the three national heroes were present at Charles Gumbo Barracks for formalities, where the bodies of the three national heroes lay in state ahead of the burial. The ceremony was attended by government officials, military personnel, and members of the public who came to pay their respects to the departed heroes.