Manicaland Correspondent
HUNDREDS of mourners on Sunday thronged Manicaland Provincial Heroes’ Acre to bid farewell to liberation war hero Cde Culver Saungweme, who died on January 17.
Cde Saungweme, who was a brother to Zanu-PF executive member Dr Nancy Saungweme, succumbed to diabetes.
He was 73.
Cde Saungweme is survived by his wife, Mary, four children and 11 grandchildren.
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba, who was represented by provincial administrator Mr Edgars Seenza, said the untimely death of Cde Saungweme came at a time when Zanu-PF was taking practical measures to turn around the fortunes of the nation.
“His death has come at a time when the revolutionary party, Zanu-PF, is taking practical steps to turn around the fortunes of this country,” she said.
“We will continue with our economic agenda inspired by his departure and his contributions to the development of Zimbabwe.”
Cde Saungweme, whose Chimurenga name was Ndinofa, was responsible for supplying freedom fighters with materials they requested while in the bush.
His efforts put him under scrutiny from the Special Investigation Branch of the Ian Smith regime after his role in the liberation war filtered to the enemy.
Born on March 17, 1946, Cde Saungweme did his primary school at Mutanda in Sakubva, Mutare, before he was expelled for his political activism.
He then went to Mutambara Primary School using a different name, Ndinofa, to avoid detection by the Smith regime.
Cde Saungweme proceeded to do his secondary education and trained as a teacher while at Mutambara.
The burial was attended by a number of Government officials, traditional leaders, war collaborators and Zanu-PF provincial members.