By Rex Mphisa
A war veteran struck and killed by a car driven by a police officer at a pedestrian crossing has been declared a Liberation War Hero by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Thomas Mbedzi from Tshafhutshe died from injuries sustained in the accident in the centre of Beitbridge town when he was about to collect his pension from a bank along Emmerson Mnangagwa Street.
In a letter to the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Martin Rushwaya the secretary general of Zanu PF Jacob Mudenda said a Liberation War Hero status had been given to the late Mbedzi.
“His Excellency, the President and First Secretary of ZANU (PF), Cde E.D. Mnangagwa has conferred a Liberation War Hero status to the late Cde Mbedzi Thomas who died on 6th July 2026. He will be buried in Beitbridge, Tshafhutshe Village under Chief Matibe. The family can be contacted through our Matabeleland South Provincial Offices,” wrote Mudenda.
“I shall be most grateful if you would make the usual burial arrangements and payment of benefits to his family. The Deceased is from Matabeleland South Province,” he said.
Some war veterans who witnessed the accident said Mbedzi was struck as he was crossing and fell to his knees and was never able to stand.
“We saw it and the man driving the ca which hit him was about t leave when the crowd that gathered asked him to do the right thing and carry the injured to hospital,” said a female war veteran who spoke to Ziyah News Network.
A family member and Zanu PF shadow councillor for Ward 5 Beitbridge Urban Boyd Maphosa said his uncle was transferred to a referral hospital in Bulawayo due to his serious condition.
“Unfortunately were lost him,” said Maphosa.
Maphosa said the family was yet to be contacted by Traffic Police at Beitbridge.
Mbedzi will be buried at his home at Tshafhutshe.