Harare, (New Ziana) – Former Zimbabwe National Army Chief of Staff, Major General Trust Mugoba, who died on Friday has been declared a national hero, Vice President Kembo Mohadi said on Saturday.

Mugoba, who was seconded to the African Union’s Standby Force as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Commissioner for Peace and Security in Africa in Ethiopia in 2017, died after a short illness in Harare.

He had returned home unwell two weeks ago.

His death was, however, overshadowed by that of the country’s founding father, former President Robert Mugabe who had died hours earlier on the same day.

VP Mohadi told mourners at Mugoba’s residence that the ruling Zanu PF party had bestowed upon him the country’s highest honour – national hero status.

“We deliberated on the issue and we agreed that (Major General) Mugoba be conferred the national hero status without any dissent,” he said.
“We were sent by the President (Emmerson Mnangagwa) to convey the message.”

He will be buried on Wednesday.

Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander, General Philip Valerio Sibanda on Friday said Mugoba’s death was shocking as his health deteriorated quickly when he appeared to be on the mend.

“I saw him last week, and he was in pain but he was showing signs of recovery,” General Sibanda said.

“We were very shocked when we heard this (Friday) morning that he had passed on.”
New Ziana