By Jeremiah Gora
National hero and Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Mozambique and Eswatini, Victor Matemadanda, will be laid to rest at the National Heroes Acre on Friday, June 26, with President Cde, Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa expected to preside over the burial ceremony.
Announcing the burial arrangements on Tuesday, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage said.
“The late national hero, Ambassador Victor Matemadanda will be laid to rest at the National Heroes Acre on Friday, the 26th of June 2026. His Excellency, The President, Cde Dr E.D. Mnangagwa will preside over this burial.”
The ministry outlined a programme that will see the late ambassador’s remains transported to several locations before the final burial.
According to the statement, “Tomorrow, from 1000hrs, the body of the late national hero, Ambassador Victor Matemadanda will be airlifted from Harare to Gokwe Centre in the Midlands Province for a brief ceremony.”
Following the ceremony in Gokwe, the body will be flown to the family’s rural home in Sanyati, Mashonaland West Province.
The ministry said,”The late Ambassador Victor Matemadanda will be flown from Gokwe Centre from 1400hrs to Village 9C, Golden Resettlement in Sanyati, Mashonaland West Province where he will lie in state at the family residence.”
A provincial send-off ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, June 25, before the remains are returned to Harare.
“A provincial send off ceremony for the late national hero will be held on Thursday, 25th of June 2026. On the same day, from 1400hrs, the remains of the late ambassador and national hero will be flown back to Harare where he will lie in state at his Harare residence (2037 Mt Pleasant Heights) ahead of burial on Friday the 26th of June 2026,” the ministry said.
The statement added that preparations for the burial ceremony would begin early on Friday morning, noting that,”burial proceedings will commence on Friday, the 26th of June 2026 and mourners are expected to be seated by 0700hrs.”
Cde Matemadanda, a liberation war veteran and former leader of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, died on Saturday and was subsequently declared a national hero in recognition of his contribution to Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle and national development.
The burial is expected to draw senior government officials, war veterans, diplomats and thousands of mourners from across the country.
