By 
By Ross Moyo
The nation of Zimbabwe is in mourning following the death of Dr. Sydney Zikuzo Gata, the Executive Chairman of ZESA Holdings, who was conferred national hero status by President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Dr. Gata will be laid to rest on Wednesday, July 9, at the National Heroes Acre in Harare, with full military honors.
In an statement issued today, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage confirmed the burial arrangements and provided a detailed itinerary of the body movements ahead of the final interment.
“His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa, will preside over the burial ceremony of the late national hero, Dr. Sydney Zikuzo Gata, at the National Heroes Acre,” the statement read.
*Body Movement and Public Tribute*
According to the Ministry, Dr. Gata’s body was moved on Monday, July 7, from Charles Gumbo Barracks to his Borrowdale residence in Harare, before being flown to his rural homestead at Lot 72 Rupise Hot Springs Farm in Chipangayi, Chipinge District. The remains lay in state overnight, allowing family, community members, and provincial leaders to pay their final respects.
On Tuesday, July 8, following a provincial send-off, the body is scheduled to be airlifted back to Manyame Airbase, with arrival expected around 13:30hrs. From there, it will be taken to the ZESA Training Centre, where colleagues and staff from the power utility will have an opportunity to pay tribute to the man widely regarded as Zimbabwe’s foremost electrical engineer. The body will then return to Charles Gumbo Barracks, where it will lie in state ahead of Wednesday’s burial.
“Mourners are advised that buses will depart from the usual pickup points,” the Ministry said. “All Zimbabweans are encouraged to attend and give a befitting farewell to this indefatigable son of the soil.”
*A Distinguished Legacy*
Dr. Gata, a veteran engineer and energy sector leader, passed away on Thursday, July 3, in Harare after a short illness. He is remembered for his pivotal role in the development and management of Zimbabwe’s power infrastructure and his decades-long contribution to national development.
His burial at the National Heroes Acre places him among an elite group of Zimbabweans honored for their outstanding service to the nation.
Monday 7 July 2025
Yesterday the body of the late national hero was taken from Charles Gumbo Barracks to his Borrowdale Homestead at333 Fairway Avenue, Borrowdale Brook. It was then driven to Manyame Airbase from where the remains of the late national hero were airlifted to Lot 72 Rupise Hotspring, Chipangayi. It lay in state at his farm in Chipangayi, Rupise.”
A send off service took place with body viewing and Home Affairs continued that,
“Tuesday 8 July 2025 (today)
Today, from 11.30hrs after the provincial programme, Dr Gata’s remains will be airlifted back to Manyame Airbase. The expected arrival time is 13.30hrs. From 1400hrs, the body will be escorted to Zesa Training Centre where colleagues will be able to pay their last respects. After the program, the remains of the late engineer will be taken to Charles Gumbo Barracks where it will lie in state ahead of burial on Wednesday.
“Burial proceedings will commence at the national shrine tomorrow,Wednesday,and mourners will be picked at the usual pick up points. Zimbabweans are urged to come in their numbers to give befitting send-off to this indefatigable Son of the Soil.”
Issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage
Towards a Secure and Peaceful Environment.”
Zimbabwe’s top engineer passed away on Thursday last week in Harare after succumbing to a short illness and will be buried tomorrow in full military honors at the National Heros acre shrine in Harare, a funeral burial presided over by the country’s First Citizen President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
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