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Updates: Burial of Charles Utete

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THE late former chief secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Charles Utete, was declared a national hero and is being be buried at the National Heroes’ Acre today. Our senior reporter Richard Chidza brings us the live updates.

THE late former chief secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Charles Utete, was declared a national hero and is being be buried at the National Heroes’ Acre today. Our senior reporter Richard Chidza brings us the live updates.

Morning and welcome to the National Heroes Acre. President Robert Mugabe is set to preside over the burial of former Cabinet secretary Charles Utete.

Compiled and Edited By John Mokwetsi

[13:50 PM, 7/19/2016] On that note President Mugabe leaves the podium as a choir sings a hymn.

[13:46 PM, 7/19/2016] President Robert Mugabe as expected has lashed out at the founder of the hugely popular #Thisflag movement, Pastor Evan Mawarire saying he does not have a place in this country. He adds that the pastor must go to the countries that are sponsoring him. “Beware of these men of cloth not all of them are true preachers of the bible….I don’t know if the are serving God.”

[13:20 PM, 7/19/2016] “There is no need to import food. Those who have land must produce. Those who don’t have let them have….”

[13:20 PM, 7/19/2016] Mugabe reveals that Utete was the first black permanent secretary in the Prime Ministers office. “He accepted the burdensome appointment….” He also takes mourners through the memory lane in which he told them that he had shocked Lord Soames by asking him to stay on. Soames, Mugabe intimated, had been shocked by the offer. Soames is said to have consulted Lord Carrington and was allowed to stay for three months.

[13:16 PM, 7/19/2016] The president narrates the history of the life of Dr Utete saying he was involved in transforming the colonial system into the majority rule government. He lauds the intellectual prowess of the fallen hero

[13:08 PM, 7/19/2016] Mugabe takes to the podium.

[13:08 PM, 7/19/2016] A spokesperson said Utete was incorruptible adding that he grew up with the norms and values acceptable to the community and the country he came from.

[12:47 PM, 7/19/2016] President Robert Mugabe arrives with the body of Utete in tow. He is clearly limping as he struggles to walk up the isle.

[12:26 AM, 7/19/2016] The military top brass has arrived, Mayor Manyenyeni is also here. VP Mphoko has walked in and VP Mnangagwa is met by chants of “Garwe”. It seems like the burial is running behind schedule as the program indicates that President Mugabe was supposed to address mourners at 11:40 am.

[11:36 AM, 7/19/2016] Chief Justice, Godfrey Chidyausiku is in attendance

[10:45 AM, 7/19/2016] The majority of those in the stands are uniformed military personnel and reports are that civi servants were provided with buses and forced to attend the burial.

[10:43 AM, 7/19/2016]: The usually populated Mupedzanhamo and surrounding environs is today virtually deserted. Some vendors have decided to stay at home while others have followed the unwritten rule that instructs that all must attend “national functions.”

[10:42 AM, 7/19/2016] Market stalls in Mbare closed as vendors have reportedly been frog-marched to attend the burial. This has become a norm to force residents of mostly the populous surburb of Mbare to attend Zanu PF functions due to the hold the party has on the process of awarding market stalls.