PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has described national hero Cde Victor Panganayi Kuretu as a patriot, who remained resolute in support of revolutionary principles.

He was speaking at the burial of Cde Kuretu at the national shrine in Harare this Thursday.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa chronicled the national hero’s participation in the liberation struggle, describing him as a resolute cadre.

“The late Cde Kuretu remained resolute in support of the revolutionary ideals and principles of our liberation movement. The nation has lost a loyal, committed and hardworking cadre who served our motherland consistently during the liberation struggle as well as after Independence, in various capacities. He was a champion of national development,” he said.

A teacher by profession, Cde Kuretu was arrested for political activism and at some point he stayed at Gonakudzingwa restriction camp until 1970.

“He never wavered and remained persistent and patriotic throughout the socio economic and political periods of our nation. Our late National hero was an unassuming leader who shared his knowledge and views with candid honesty,” he added.

As he touched on the country’s development, President Mnangagwa said ZANU PF is a people-centred party, ZANU PF is a mass party which is people centred and determined to industrialise and modernise Zimbabwe, so that all citizens have a higher quality of life. To this end we will adopt and implement the necessary policies and projects to achieve our objectives.

The Head of State said as the country pursues development, dialogue is critical among key stakeholders.

“In the current era of our national development, industrialisation and modernisation, dialogue remains key to impactful results. I therefore call upon ministries, departments and agencies to sharpen communication and stakeholder engagement towards speedy results sector by sector,” highlighted the President.

Post-independence, Cde Kuretu was involved in active politics and at the time of his death, he was a member of the ZANU PF National Consultative Assembly and the National Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Ex-Political Prisoners, Detainees and Restrictees Association.

As the national hero was laid to rest, President Mnangagwa said Cde Kuretu’s heroism, commitment, perseverance, consistency and dedication will never be forgotten but will forever remain etched in the rich liberation history and memories of Zimbabwe.