Senior politicians, government officials and mourners mainly of Indian extraction were present when his body was consigned to the flames at Pioneer Cemetery. State Security minister Sydney Sekeramayi, Zanu PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo Gumbo, Harare politicians Tendai Savanhu, Charles Tawengwa, and Amos Midzi attended the cremation.
Earlier, the Zanu PF Politburo had unanimously declared him a national hero. His remains will be buried at at the National Heroes Acre in August next year. In the meantime, the family will keep his ash in line with their tradition. His ash will be buried during National Heroes' Day commemorations in 2012.
Zanu PF adminstration secretary Didymus Mutasa said Patee was a "very strong member of our party" who had made immense contribution to the nationalist movement.
"He did everything with us in the party," Mutasa said. "We have considered his history when he left his mother country to work with us from the NDP days to the present." His son thanked Zanu PF for bestowing the honour on his father.
Post published in: News