Zimpapers Logo

By Lincoln Towindo and Costa Mano

 1315: The official proceedings have ended here and with that we bring an end to our live updates.

1312: The National Anthem is now being played.

 1310: The late Justice Andrew Mutema has been laid to rest.

1230: The casket carrying the body of  Justice Mutema is now being carried to its final resting place.

 1220: President Mugabe has ended his speech.

1219: “May I take this opportunity to say to you go well the Son of the Soil…rest in peace, I thank you”

1218: “Justice Mutema led an illustrious and virtuous life which should inspire especially the young among us…..lest we forget our independence did not come cheap, it cost us lives..it cost blood..we should remain forever vigilant because the enemy has not rested since we defeated him…our erstwhile colonisers are fighting tooth and nail to maintain a stranglehold on our economy”

1212: President Mugabe explains Justicle Mutema’s journey to the liberation war front and his career life when he returned home.

1210:  “The expression Mwana Wevhu was not an idle saying uttered in vain…but a well thought out clarion call..to be Mwana Wevhu identified one to be a nationalist, to identify one as one who owned and was part of the soil…a saying that knew no tribe…he became our son together hence we are mourning his passing on as one.

Some may ask who he was to deserve being a national hero?

Justice Mutema and many young men and women set themselves apart by sacrificing their lives for the liberation of the country from white settlers..that could not have been embraced by the weak and timid but demanded brave men and women who could face death in the face. The war wasn’t a war i n the park or adventure.”

1204: ” We all here to give him a befitting send off as cadre of the liberation struggle….we have lost a servant of the people, a professional colleague and towering family figure..he will be missed by all of us as he leaves a yawning gap that will be difficult to fill. may I on the behalf of Government ant, my party Zanu-PF, the people of Zimbabwe and indeed on my behalf offer our condolences to Justice Mutema’s wife, children and family…may I assure you that the entire country shares your grief.”

 1159: “We wish that our lives be long, fruitful and good….He was a man who took good care of himself but we don’t know what happens within our bodies is unknown to us even if we eat healthy or visit the doctor often only God knows. There are diseases that even doctors have failed to find cures like High Blood Pressure, diabetes no medication has been found to eradicate such ailments.”

1155: He says what saddens people at this time is that he was taken when young…”56…iye uno arikutaura ane 91 turning 92..hapana zvatinokwanisa kuita”.

1152: President Mugabe says people’s desires are plenty and it depends on one’s age adding that once you finish a certain stage you aim for another goal and that is how life moves. However, as human beings people cannot fulfill all their goals but that’s the  natural phenomenon in humans, they keep planning but when the time has come for your life to end even when you haven’t finished building your house that will be left to your relatives to finish off with their own plans.

You cannot spend all your wealth, when the time comes you leave for others.

1147: He says they tried their best to build him when he arrived at the war front and it was seen that he was a reliable young man that could be counted on. He was sent to Romania, a country that was supportive of the liberation war where he studied military warfare focusing on artillery. President Mugabe says when they returned from the war Justice Mutema refused to join the military saying liberating the country was good enough for him and instead furthered his education and studied law.

1145: President Mugabe thanks the mourners gathered especially all the relatives of Justice Mutema as well as those who worked with him, war veterans and ex detainees who have come. President Mugabe says Justice Mutema was keen on education but ended his studies to go and participate in the war of liberation.

1140: Dr Chombo has now invited President Mugabe to address the mourners.

1129: Family representative Cde Richard Mhike is now addressing the gathering. He says Justice Mutema was a loving and courageous man who kept the family together. Justice Mutema was also a man keen to offer help and advice on any issue. Cde Mhike thanks Zanu-PF for acknowledging the role played by Justice Mutema.

He ends his address.

1116: Dr Ignatius Chombo in his capacity as the Minister of Home Affairs is the Master of Ceremony. He is now addressing the gathering. He describes Justice Mutema as a gallant son of the country. He invites Chaplain General Colonel Nyakudya to lead a sermon.

A mourner holds a banner inscribed with Justice Mutema’s war name at the national shrine.

1105: The casket carrying national hero Justice Mutema’s body is now being carried to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

1104: President Mugabe and the First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe have arrived at the national shrine.

 1042: Mourners are already thronging  the National Heroes Acre.

1013: President Mugabe leads the body viewing ceremony.

President Mugabe and First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe console Justice Mutema’s family.

1007: President Mugabe has arrived.

0952: President Mugabe is expected to arrive soon. VP Mphoko has arrived.

VP Mphoko greets the service chiefs at Stodart Hall.

0946: Vice President Mnangagwa has arrived.

VP Mnangagwa speaks to Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander General Constantine Chiwenga.

0942: Service chiefs have arrived.

Service chiefs wait for the arrival of President Mugabe.

0932: Harare Mayor Councillor Bernard Manyenyeni has arrived.

Youths outside Stodart Hall. Pic by Lincoln Towindo

0924: Close relatives of Justice Mutema are now seated inside the hall awaiting commencement of the body viewing.

The casket is carried into Stodart Hall. Pic by Lincoln Towindo

0900: Minister of Home Affairs Dr Ignatius Chombo has arrived at Stodart hall.

The body of Justice Mutema arriving at Stodart Hall on a gun carriage.Pic by Lincoln Towindo

0857: The body of national hero Justice Andrew Mutema has arrived at Stodart Hall in Mbare. Scores of people have gathered outside the historic hall.