THE late Mt Darwin East legislator and Zanu-PF Central Committee member Cde Betty Chikava was a dedicated and selfless cadre who was committed to national development, President Mugabe has said. 

The Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces said this at a church service for the MP at the Salvation Army Church in Chipadze, Bindura.

He was quoted by ZBC News as saying Cde Chikava will be greatly missed because she was a strong and well-calculated legislator who related well with others.

"Tichava nekusuwa zvikurukuru muparty. Kubva kuma1960s tiinavo," said President Mugabe.

"Mt Darwin varivo representative wedu ikoko. Tinovimba kuti kana kuchazouya umwe achatevera achaona basa ravaiita negwara reparty ravanga vachitevera.

"Izvozvo ndizvo zvinotipa kuti tirove matundundu kuti vaenda zvavo asi vatisiira nhaka kuti titevedze gwara rakanaka. Tiri panguva yemiedzo, zvakare nguva inoda kuti tibatane zvikuru inovandiyo nyaya yavanga vachitaura."

President Mugabe castigated British Prime Minister David Cameron for threatening to withdraw aid from countries that do not embrace homosexuality.

He said it was surprising that Christianity, which does not condone homosexuality, started in Western countries, yet Western leaders defy the Bible by promoting repugnant behaviour.

President Mugabe led the congregation in body viewing.

The Herald news crew, which was stationed at Cde Chikava's farm where she was buried in the afternoon, reported that the burial was led by Mashonaland Central governor and resident Minister Advocate Martin Dinha.

Hundreds of people, including politicians from the three parties in the inclusive Government, witnessed the burial.

Cde Chikava, who was declared a provincial heroine, succumbed to diabetes on Wednesday. She was 69.

Adv Dinha described Cde Chikava as a humble and God-fearing person.

"Today we are gathered here to celebrate a life well lived. Cde Chikava was a humble person who did not discriminate, but showed us all that leadership required principled and exemplary behaviour."

He said Cde Chikava left a legacy of promoting peace and co-existence among people from diverse backgrounds.

"She taught us that we should use language that promotes development and national healing and that violence was not necessary to achieve leadership positions as all leaders were appointed by God," he said.

Between 1958 and 1961 Cde Chikava trained as a nurse and around the same time joined Zapu before crossing over to Zanu at its formation in 1963.

She used to smuggle medicines and other supplies to freedom fighters and between 1976 and 1979 she was restricted by the Ian Smith regime.

At independence, Cde Chikava held various positions in the Zanu-PF's Women's League in Mashonaland Central Province and was appointed to the Central Committee in 1997.

She is survived by her husband Thompson, five children and nine grandchildren.