Brigadier General Masuku being ferried to his final resting place by soldiers. Own Correspondent|After an initial shocking hero status snub of gallant liberation war fighter, late Brigadier-General Crispan Masuku has been conferred the National Hero Status.
Zanu-PF Politburo conferred national hero status on Masuku on Friday after he was laid to rest at Lady Stanley Cemetery in Bulawayo earlier in the day.
ZimEye.com raised concern on the hero status snub by ZANU PF before he was buried.
He was 61.
Zanu PF secretary for Administration Dr Obert Mpofu announced the conferment of national hero status in a statement last night.
“This is to notify that the late Brigadier-General, Crispan Masuku has been declared a national hero. Brigadier General Masuku, who is a liberation fighter whose Chimurenga name was Cde Kid Manzini, passed on Wednesday May 13, 2020.”
A delegation led by Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs Minister Richard Moyo, Zanu PF Politburo member Angeline Masuku and Dr Mpofu, visited the late Brig Gen Masuku’s homestead and conveyed the national hero status message to the family.
“I am here as I have been sent to convey this message by the President (Mnangagwa). The late General Masuku has been declared a national hero and his works speak for themselves. He dedicated his life to service and until his time of death, he remained a committed serviceman,” said Dr Mpofu.
“The Government has seen him fit to be conferred national hero status. It is unfortunate that he is being declared a National Hero after his burial. However, this does not take away the honour that has been bestowed upon him. The Covid-19 has made processes much more difficult as we are working remotely as we practice social distancing.
“Messages may take time to be heard and acted upon. However, we thank the family for doing such a splendid job in giving the late general befitting send-off. His place at the National Heroes (Acre) shall be always known and he will not be forgotten for the works he has done.”
He is survived by his wife Nomathemba Ndiweni and three children Ngqabutho, Nqobile and Nomagugu Adelide.