No Heroes Day gatherings: Government

ZTN Reporter

Zimbabwe will, for the second time, stage a low key national event as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

First, it was the independence celebrations which were without the usual pomp and fanfare, now this year’s Heroes and Defence Forces holidays will be commemorated virtually. There will be no gatherings across the country as was the norm over the years.

The Heroes day commemorations are often punctuated with gatherings at the National Heroes Acre and provincial shrines across the country while on Defence Forces day; members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces entertain crowds with coordinated mass displays.

Addressing a post Cabinet media briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa said this year’s commemorations will be held virtually.

“2020 Heroes Day Commemorations and the Defence Forces Day Celebrations. There will be no gatherings this year to mark both events. His Excellency, the President will address the nation using virtual platforms.

“The 2020 Heroes Day Commemorations will be held under the theme “REMEMBERING OUR HEROES” on 10th August, the Defence Forces Day Celebrations will be held on 11th August, 2020 under the theme “ZDF: CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF EXCELLENT SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE,” she said.

To date, Zimbabwe has 2 704 confirmed COVID-19 cases, a 68 percent increase from 1 713 cases reported on 20 July, 2020. The total number of COVID-19 fatalities has also increased to 36 from the 26 reported last week.

Due to the spike in locally transmitted Covid-19 cases which has increased by 112 percent from 791 to 1 675 during the past week, Mutsvangwa said government will hold some meetings virtually to limit spread of the disease among officials.

“In order to curb the further spread of the disease among Government officials, the holding of meetings by virtual means will be enhanced. At universities and colleges, face-to-face classes have been suspended and lessons will be carried out online.

“Those who had started writing examinations will be allowed to complete them, while those who had not started their examinations will have them deferred,” said Mutsvangwa.