President Mnangagwa has described the late liberation war icon Dr Dumiso Dabengwa as a principled and resourceful person, whose heroics ranked high among the pioneering generation of early nationalists and freedom fighters.

In a statement he read from his Munhumutapa offices in Harare yesterday, the President said Dr Dabengwa served the country well and helped to grow the peaceful environment that prevails up to this day.

“I have learnt with a deep sense of pain and grief of the death today of Cde Dumiso Dabengwa, following a long period of being unwell.

“My last contact with the late Cde Dumiso Dabengwa was at State House this April, a few days before our independence celebrations,” said President Mnangagwa.

“He clearly looked unwell, and I directed Government to arrange for his speedy evacuation to India for urgent medical attention at Government expense.

“That was promptly done, and we all hoped that Cde Dabengwa’s condition would improve and take a turn towards full recovery. Sadly, that was not to be, and we lost him today in Nairobi, Kenya, as he was being flown back home,” said President Mnangagwa.State media