By A Correspondent- Former Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) Chief of Staff, retired Lieutenant-General Douglas Nyikayaramba who died from Covid-19 (Coronavirus) related complications on 9 February 2021 has been declared a national hero.

The development was revealed by Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri when she visited the Nyiayaramba home in Nyabira Thursday morning.

Said Muchinguri:

“Mabasa ake akanaka zvikuru akadadisa nyika. He was a man of unity. We are looking up to the youths to walk this journey so that his aspirations do not die… Your president Cdde Emmeson Mnangagwa and the party has seen it fit that he be declared a national hero.”

Born in 1960, Lieutenant General (Retired) Nyikayaramba joined the liberation struggle in 1977.

He was a former Chief of Staff, Administration at the Zimbabwe National Army. He was known, for openly pledging support to the Zanu-PF political party.

Nyikayaramba was an ally of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, and is the fourth of the coup generals to die from Covid-19 after former Air Force chief Perrance Shiri, coup announcer Sibusiso Moyo and ex-prisons boss Paradzai Zim

General Nyikayaramba was Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Mozambique after he was retired by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in March 

He is survived by his wife Elina and 8 children.