President Emmerson Mnangagwa has granted national hero status to Zimbabwe Ex-Political Prisoners, Detainees and Restrictees Association (ZEPPDRA) national chairperson, Cde Victor Panganai Kuretu, honouring his decades-long service to the liberation struggle and post-independence nation building.
Cde Kuretu passed away on August 7 at St Anne’s Hospital in Harare after a short illness. He was 83.
Harare Metropolitan Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Senator Charles Tavengwa, delivered the announcement at the Kuretu family home in Mufakose yesterday, confirming that the late nationalist will be laid to rest at the National Heroes Acre on a date yet to be announced.
Born in Gweru on March 3, 1942, Cde Kuretu trained as a teacher in Mutare, where his political activism took root as ZAPU youth secretary for Sakubva. He later became deputy regional secretary for Manicaland before enduring repeated arrests under the Rhodesian regime, including years in detention at the notorious Gonakudzingwa Restriction Camp.
After independence in 1980, he worked at Dairibord Zimbabwe while remaining active in party politics, serving in leadership roles in both ZAPU and, following the 1987 Unity Accord, ZANU PF. He joined ZEPPDRA at its formation and became national chairperson in 2005, a role he held until his death.
His son, Casper, described him as a devoted family man and community pillar. “He was our priest, guardian and provider… a giver who made sure no one around him lacked anything,” he said.
Cde Kuretu leaves behind his wife Ritah, 11 children and 34 grandchildren. Funeral arrangements will be communicated in due course.
