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to Zanu-PF Mashonaland West acting provincial chairman Cde Robert Sikanyika who died in a car crash on Sunday night.
Cde Sikanyika’s body arrived at the municipal hall around 2pm and mourners, some clad in Zanu-PF regalia, broke into song and dance denouncing the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the West.
Zanu-PF national political commissar Cde Webster Shamu, Mashonaland West Governor Faber Chidarikire, Mhondoro-Ngezi Member of Parliament Cde Bright Matonga, businessman Philip Chiyangwa were among senior party officials and dignitaries who attended the funeral.
Addressing mourners, Cde Shamu described Cde Sikanyika as a selfless, dedicated and patriotic party cadre.
“During his leadership of Mashonaland West Province, Cde Sikanyika subordinated his personal interests to the collective interests of the people and the party.
“He was an obedient party cadre who cherished the qualities of loyalty, the doctrine of patriotism and was dedicated to duty.”
He said Cde Sikanyika’s leadership in the province was characterised by comradeship, love, respect for every cadre and responsibility.
Cde Shamu said his death had deprived Zanu-PF of an opportunity to benefit from a party cadre who had a high understanding of the people’s aspirations.
“This is why he was able to mobilise the people to rally behind the Anti-Sanctions Petition Campaign as well as the Indeginisation and Economic Empowerment programmes,” he said.
Cde Shamu described the untimely death of Cde Sikanyika as a fatal and cruel blow to the party and general membership.
He said his capabilities were evident from the earliest stages and he ascended to become Zanu-PF branch youth chairman for Tongogara in Raffingora in 1987 and subsequently central committee member in 2008 before being appointed to the post he held until his death.
“He held the post at a time when the province experienced problems within party ranks. He defied his young age and steadfastly went about healing wounds.
“He reconciled party cadres aiming to ensure the province was an oasis of tranquility,” Cde Shamu said.
Cde Shamu urged Zimbabweans to honour the fallen heroes and heroines by upholding the objectives and values of the revolution and tenaciously defending the country’s national independence and sovereignty, which are under threat from Western imperialists.
“That should be our sacred covenant with our fallen heroes and heroines,” he said.
Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Minister Ignatius Chombo also described the late Cde Sikanyika as a dedicated and exemplary leader who showed special leadership qualities.
“He always put the interests of Zanu-PF first and he also co-ordinated the Land Reform Programme in the province.
“He remained resolute in safeguarding the gains of the liberation struggle.
“His efforts in bringing sustainable development in Mashonaland West are a clear indication of the quest to safeguard the gains of the hard won independence,” he said.
Minister Chombo said: “I want to assure the Sikanyika family that they are not alone in grieving the loss of a very promising young man.
“His unexpected departure has left a void, which will be difficult to fill both in the party and the family.”
Cde Sikanyika died when his vehicle, a white Nissan Cedric veered off the road and rammed into a tree along the Harare-Bulawayo.
Cde Sikanyika died on the spot together with a passenger Mary Saidi Sabiti.
He was declared a liberation hero.
Cde Sikanyika rose from the rank of ordinary party member to chairman of the Youth League in Tongogara District between 1987 and 1989.
Between 1989 and 1993 he was the secretary for administration for Tongogara District and then moved to become the deputy chairman of the Youth League for Chimurenga District between 1993 and 2001.
He then became the provincial secretary for administration between 2001 and 2002 and was also a Central Committee member since 2004.
Cde Sikanyika will be buried at his Nyarugwe Farm in Raffingora this morning.