By A Correspondent – Zimbabwe Ex-Political Prisoners, Detainees and Restrictees Association (ZEPPDRA) national chairperson Victor Panganai Kuretu has died Kuretu passed away on August 7, 2025, at St Anne’s Hospital in Harare after a short illness President Emmerson Mnangagwa has since declared him a national hero The announcement was made on Saturday by Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Harare Metropolitan Province, Senator Charles Tavengwa, at the Kuretu family home in Mufakose
“President Mnangagwa, who is the First Secretary of the party (ZANU PF), has conferred national hero status on Kuretu,” Tavengwa said “He will be interred at the National Heroes Acre at a date to be advised The President considered the role played by Kuretu during and after the liberation struggle and deemed it fit to accord him this highest honour.”
Kuretu was born on March 3, 1942, in Gweru He completed his primary and secondary education in the city before training as a teacher in Mutare
While in Mutare, he became ZAPU youth secretary for the Sakubva Branch and later rose to the position of deputy regional secretary for Manicaland Province His political activism led to repeated persecution by the Rhodesian regime He was first arrested in 1962 After his release, he was arrested again in 1965 and detained at Sakubva Police Station
In 1966, he was sent to Gonakudzingwa Restriction Camp, where he remained until his release at the end of 1970 Undeterred, Kuretu continued his involvement in the liberation movement until independence in 1980 Source: Zimeye
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Source: Zimeye
