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Conrad Mupesa Mashonaland West Bureau

Economic Empowerment Group (EEG) founding secretary general, Cde Clifford Hlupeko who was declared provincial hero by President Mnangagwa was laid to rest at Chinhoyi Provincial Heroes Acre yesterday.

Cde Hlupeko collapsed and died last Wednesday in Harare at the age of 46.

Hlupeko was described by multitudes of people that thronged the shrine as an honesty, straightforward and peace loving person who also dedicated and sacrificed his life for Zanu PF.

A family spokesperson thanked President Mnangagwa for according their son hero status, saying the honour meant a lot for the family.

Provincial chairman for War Veterans Association, Cde Cornelius Muoni challenged liberation war fighters to unite as exuded by the young generation.

He said while there was a need for the war fighters to be respected for their sacrifices, war veterans also needed to work in unison.

EEG founding president and Zanu PF central committee member, Cde Mike Chimombe said the lobby group was poorer without Cde Hlupeko, adding youths were supposed to emulate the good works of the hero.

“We are used to knowing that hero’s status is given liberation war heroes but we want to thank President Mnangagwa for bestowing liberation hero status on Cde Hlupeko.

“Cde Hlupeko advocated for economic emancipation. He was a champion of youth empowerment and Cde Hlupeko rallied behind President Mnangagwa’s mantra of ‘Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo — A Nation is Built by Its People’. Clifford was honest, brave, not greedy and always stood by the party, ZANU PF,” he said.

Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution who is also Zanu PF provincial chairman, Cde Mary Mliswa Chikoka who said the late Cde Hlupeko had a heart for his party ZANU PF and he worked hard for its success thanked President Mnangagwa for the honour.

“We want to applaud His Excellency the President Dr ED Mnangagwa for recognising that tireless efforts that Cde Hlupeko put in building the nation called Zimbabwe. He was sold to the mantra yekuti Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo,” she said.

Cde Hlupeko was Zanu PF Chirorodziva district vice chairman.

He was born on the 10th of July 1976 in Shurugwi and attended Jobolinko Primary School. He also attended Highfields Mhuriimwe Secondary School in Harare and Juchuta Secondary School in Shurugwi for his Ordinary Level.

Cde Hlupeko was a businessman in Agro-Engineering industry in support of the land reform.

He is survived by his wife and four children, Blessing, Clifford, Clayton and Makanaka.