Maravi

(HERALD) Alice Nkomo declared provincial hero

Alice Nkomo declared provincial hero
Bulawayo Bureau

Zanu-PF Central Committee member and Commissioner in the Anti-Corruption Commission Cde Alice Nkomo — who died in a car accident on Saturday — has been declared a liberation heroine. She will be buried in Bulawayo on Thursday.

Speaking yesterday at Number 3 Langdon Road in Khumalo where mourners are gathered, Zanu-PF national chairman Cde Simon Khaya-Moyo said the party’s leadership saw it fit to confer the status on Cde Nkomo.

"We met as the leadership and discussed Cde Nkomo’s contribution before and after Independence and we agreed that she be declared a liberation heroine.

"We gave her respect and honour for the great role she has been doing especially after Independence," he said.

Cde Khaya-Moyo said the Government would cover all funeral expenses as well as those of her three relatives who died in the same accident.

The three will be buried tomorrow.

"We have put it in our hands to help three others who died in the accident," said Cde Khaya-Moyo.

The accident occurred at around 11pm near Mbokodo Abattoir along the Bulawayo-Plumtree Road.

Three people, including Cde Nkomo, died on the spot while the other died on admission to United Bulawayo Hospitals.

Cde Nkomo’s younger brother, Archie, escaped with minor injuries.

According to family spokesperson Mr Jabulani Nkomo, a motorist tried to overtake her but decided to go back to his lane before ramming into her vehicle.

The car, Mr Nkomo said, spun and rolled several times.

Zapu yesterday said its members learnt with "shock and sadness" of the deaths of Cde Nkomo and three MDC officials.

MDC officials Mr Renson Gasela, Mr Lyson Mlambo and Ms Ntombizodwa Gumbo died in another accident at the weekend.

Zapu said Cde Nkomo distinguished herself as a "humble and peace-loving businesswoman, humanitarian and politician".

On Mr Gasela, Zapu said: "His vast experience and sound views on issues of agriculture and food security will be missed by all those who had the opportunity to engage with him."

Former Gwanda councillor Alderman Petros Mukwena said he was very close to Cde Nkomo and her family and last saw her at the official opening of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair on Friday.

"I had a long relationship with her and her children and would like to pass my condolences to her family on their loss."

Yesterday, Midlands Provincial Governor and Resident Minister Jason Machaya visited the homes of the deceased MDC officials.

Mr Gasela (MDC secretary for lands) Mr Mlambo (national chairperson for the disciplinary committee) and Ms Gumbo (women’s assembly provincial chairperson for Midlands South) died on the spot when their vehicle rammed into a stationary front-end loader on Saturday night.

Six other party officials in the same car were seriously injured.

Cde Machaya yesterday said: "Their deaths come hardly a week after we successfully hosted our 30th Independence Anniversary where all the deceased played a pivotal role in making the celebrations a resounding success."

Cde Machaya wished a quick recovery to the injured.

MDC spokesperson Mr Edwin Mushoriwa said funeral arrangements would be announced in due course.

A Mlambo family spokesperson Mr Mukai Mlambo — third son of the deceased — said: "We are still arranging a burial date but it is likely to be on Wednesday here in Gweru."

Labels: ACC ZIMBABWE, ALICE NKOMO, CAR ACCIDENTS, ZANU-PF

posted by MrK @ 8:26 PM