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Cde Mabhena collapsed and died at his Four Winds home in Bulawayo after suffering from diabetes and hypertension. He was 86.
Speaking soon after a meeting of Zanu-PF’s highest decision-making body, the Politburo in Harare last night, Zanu-PF national secretary for information and publicity Cde Rugare Gumbo said conferment of national hero status on Cde Mabhena was unanimous.

“We discussed the death of Cde Mabhena and the Politburo was unanimous that he be declared a national hero.
“He was a true nationalist and liberation fighter who fought gallantly against white colonialism.
“He contributed immensely to the unity of Zanu and Zapu in 1987 and contributed to the development of Matabeleland North as a governor.
“Burial arrangements will be announced in due course after consultations with the family,” Cde Gumbo said.

Cde Mabhena was born on June 26, 1924 at Zinyangeni in Nkayi.
He attended Zinyangeni Primary School before proceeding to Inyathi Mission School for his secondary education.
The national hero moved to Tiger Kloof in South Africa for further studies and returned to Inyathi Mission before joining active politics.
Cde Mabhena, who was a shoemaker by profession, was jailed and detained from 1962 to 1979. During that period he attained an Advanced Level certificate and Fellowship of the Association of Certified Bookkeepers of South Africa.

In 1985 he was elected Member of Parlia-ment for Nkayi on a PF-Zapu ticket and was also the party’s secretary-general.
After the signing of the Unity Accord be-tween Zanu-PF and PF-Zapu in 1987, Cde Mabhena became the Matabeleland North provincial chairman of the united party.
In 1990 he was elected Deputy Speaker of Parliament and was later appointed Minister of State for Political Affairs.

At that time, he was Zanu-PF’s secretary for transport and welfare.
He was then appointed Matabeleland North Governor, a post he held until he retired in July 2000.
In 2006 he dismissed speculation that he was joining MDC, describing it as a party lacking in ideology that people could not identify with.

At the time of his death he had joined Zapu, led by Dr Dumiso Dabengwa.
In a condolence message, Zapu described Cde Mabhena as a Zimbabwean political hea-vyweight, popular for his role in the liberation struggle when he stood for justice.
Zapu secretary-general Dr Ralph Mguni said: “In the passing on of Mabhena, Zimbabwe has lost a political leader of gigantic magnitude. He played a pivotal role in the war of liberation and to advance a people’s politics.”

A member of Zapu’s National Council of Elders for Europe, former Bulawayo provincial magistrate Mr Johnson Mkandla — who was detained with Cde Mabhena during the Smith regime — added: “Mabhena was a man of courage who is a clear case for national hero status.” Cde Mabhena is survived by his wife Rebecca, three children, 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.