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Chinhoyi Bureau
At least 87 grocery hampers donated by the First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe have been handed over to families of fallen heroes in Mashonaland West Province. Speaking at the handover ceremony at Buffalo Downs Business Centre in Hurungwe, Mashonaland West Minister of State Cde Faber Chidarikire said the First Family values the sacrifice of fallen and living heroes.

“Government and indeed the First Family holds dear efforts to uplift the lives of families of our departed cadres,” he said. “That desire has found expression in President Mugabe’s decision to set up a ministry dedicated to the affairs of war veterans headed by Cde Christopher Mutsvangwa.”

He said more should be done to improve the welfare of widows and children of fallen heroes. Beneficiaries include families of provincial heroes interred at the Chinhoyi Heroes Acre and those buried at their respective homes.

Cde Chidarikire urged the remaining family members to continue supporting Zanu-PF which brought Independence through the sacrifice of their spouses and relatives.

Each beneficiary got a bar of soap, cooking oil, sugar, salt and a cordial drink among others. Hurungwe East legislator and Zanu-PF Central Committee member Cde Sarah Mahoka who coordinated the event said Amai Dr Mugabe was a no-nonsense leader who is not afraid to expose abuse of positions by leaders.

“People in Zanu-PF should not follow personalities but the party. Amai Dr Mugabe came to our rescue when she exposed divisive tendencies by Cde Mujuru and her cabal that fed to factionalism. The men had remained quiet in the face of Cde Mujuru’s maneuvours but Amai (Dr Mugabe) would have none of it. She was bold to challenge the Gamatox cabal,” she said.

She called on Government to increase the budgetary allocations to the Ministry of War Veterans Affairs to ensure that their needs are adequately covered.

The handover of hampers was followed by a luncheon hosted for the fallen heroes widows and other family representatives. There are 50 heroes and heroines buried at the Chinhoyi Heroes’ Acre while several others are buried at their farms.