JUST IN: Prof Ndlovu’s body arrives in Byo

The body of the late national hero and Zanu PF Bulawayo provincial chairman Professor Callistus Ndlovu has arrived in Bulawayo from South Africa.

The body was received at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport by several government officials who included the Minister of State for Bulawayo Metropolitan province Cde Judith Ncube and Cde Angeline Masuku.

It was accompanied by his wife Angeline and some family members, and was immediately taken to Doves funeral parlour.

Tomorrow the body will depart for his rural home in Brunaberg, Sanzukwe in Mangwe District to give the people in his home area an opportunity to mourn him before burial.

The body will then be flown back to Bulawayo.

On Friday, a church service will be held at St Mary’s Cathedral before the body is flown to Harare for burial.

Professor Ndlovu is survived by his wife Angeline, four children, four grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Mourners are gathered at Number 3 Fletcher Avenue in Khumalo, Bulawayo.

Meanwhile, the community of Sanzukwe has expressed deep sadness at the passing on of Cde Ndlovu saying they benefitted immensely from his benevolence and passion for education.

As the nation mourns the sad passing of the veteran nationalist, the community of Sanzukwi that helped raise the liberation stalwart is inconsolable.

Villagers who had gathered at his rural home this Monday said Cde Ndlovu was a humble and unassuming man who was always willing to help families that were in need.

Family members said Cde Ndlovu has left a void that will be difficult to fill as he strived to empower children within the extended family with education.

The mourners expressed gratitude to the government for conferring Cde Ndlovu with national hero status saying they are overwhelmed with a sense of pride.