WILFRED CHIWENGA, brother to Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Constantine Chiwenga, was laid to rest in Hwedza yesterday.

He succumbed to renal failure in South Africa last Saturday.

Cabinet ministers, legislators, captains of industry, business leaders, relatives and friends converged at the Chiwenga homestead for the burial.

Addressing mourners, Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa urged the Chiwenga family to remain united during the mourning period.

"Death does not choose and it is God who gives and takes away. We all die in different ways," he said.

A visibly shaken General Chiwenga paid tribute to Zanu-PF, Government, ministers, the business community and colleagues for their support.

"As the Chiwenga family we are happy that you came to mourn with us and we would like to thank you all for the support," he said.

Gen Chiwenga said he last spoke to his brother on Independence Day and everything appeared to be normal.

He said he was shocked to hear that his brother was found dead in his house.

He was working as well as receiving treatment in South Africa.

Wilfred was born in Hwedza in 1966.

He went to the United Kingdom where he attained a degree in Computer Studies before enrolling for a Master's Degree in the same country.

Wilfred worked for the Posts and Telecommunications Corporation before its unbundling into TelOne, Zimpost and POSB Bank.

He went to South Africa in 2005 where he worked for another company.

He later became a lecturer at the Rand University where he was doubling as a consultant, positions he held until the time of his death.

Wilfred is survived by a son, Takudzwa.