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1230: That concludes our updates. Thank you for joining us.

1228: President Mnangagwa , high ranking Government officials and close family members now accompany the body to its final resting place.

1220: President Mnangagwa has finished his address.

1218: “Go well Cde Sikhosana you fought a good fight.”

1217: On Coronavirus, the President said it is real.

“No one is immune. Let’s follow WHO guidelines. We don’t tolerate illegal demonstrations,”

1216: “He was a servant leader. To those in trade unionism I urge them them to take a leaf from trade unionists of yesteryear.”

1214: “He spent many years serving in the youth league with luminaries such as Cdes Enerst Kadungure and Josiah Tungamirai. He was a selfless cadre who put the interests of the country ahead of his personal interests. He was a unifier.”

1210: “He worked to ensure that the means of production is in the hands of the black people. He strengthened trade unionism in Zimbabwe which had been destroyed during the Smith regime.”

1205: President Mnangwagwa is now giving a brief history on Cde Sikhosana’s background.

“He was born in 1949 in Matobo district and joined Zapu youth league in 1970. Cde Sikhosana got scars fighting the settler regime and was tortured several times. He skipped the border to join colleagues in Zambia where he received military training.”

1201: “Cde Sikhosana respected everyone. He had an affectionate smile and it’s hard to believe that we will never see that smile again. He left a big void in our party. May the family take solace from the fact that the nation is mourning with you. He was leader of the Zanu PF youth league for a long time.”

1158: President Mnangagwa is now addressing the gathering.

“The nation is in deep mourning after two veterans of the struggle died Brigadier Crispen Masuku and Cde Absolom Sikhosana last week. The two joined the liberation struggle almost at the same time. The two were accorded the highest honour of national hero.

“I want to convey my deepest condolences to the Masuku and Sikhosana families. We grieve with them over their huge loss which is our loss together. We gather here to lay to rest another gallant son and freedom fighter Cde Absolom Sikhosana. He succumbed to a heart ailment. His death came as a surprise to me.”

1155: Homes Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe is now addressing the mourners. He invites the President to the podium.

1154: The two Vice Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi are also among the mourners and several Cabinet Ministers.

1145: “Absolom was born in Matobo. He was active member of ZIPRA youth. We once once again say thank you to the President for the respect accorded to our brother,” says Pastor Ndlovu

1143: Pastor Ndlovu who is the Sikhosana family representative takes to the podium to address the gathering. He appreciates the gracious gesture extended to the Sikhosana family of according one of their own the national hero status.

1133: Minister of religion Pastor Choga takes to the podium for a brief sermon.

1132: President Mnangagwa has arrived at the National Heroes Acre for the burial of national hero Cde Absolom Sikhosana.

1011: The body viewing ceremony has ended and the body of the late national hero is now being ferried to the national heroes acre, its final resting place.

0958: President Mnangagwa arrives and he will lead the body viewing ceremony.

0952: Vice President Constantino Chiwenga arrives.

0943: Vice President Kembo Mohadi has arrived.

0934: Service chiefs have arrived.

0924: Mourners gathered at Stodart Hall in Mbare waiting for the arrival of the body of the late national hero Cde Absalom Sikhosana ahead of his burial at the national heroes acre today.