Wallace Ruzvidzo and Remember Deketeke
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has conferred national hero status on Brigadier-General (Retired) Mpandasekwa Mzheri in recognition of his contribution to national development.
Brig-Gen Mzheri, whose Chimurenga name was Khetani Khanye, died on Tuesday at a Harare medical facility after a long illness.
He was 75.
Minister of State for National Security, Lovemore Matuke, conveyed the message of the conferment of national hero status to the Mzheri family in the capital last night.
“He died on October 6 after a long illness. So, today as I represent the Politburo led by His Excellency President Mnangagwa, I have been sent with the message to convey national hero status after having looked at his contributions,” said Minister Matuke.
The Mzheri family spokesperson, Mrs Connie Chikore, said the family felt honoured by the recognition accorded to Brig-Gen Mzheri.
“We would like to greatly thank President Mnangagwa and the Politburo,” she said.
Earlier, a funeral parade was held in honour of the Brig-Gen at Charles Gumbo Barracks in Harare.
In his address, Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) Commander, Lieutenant-General Emmanuel Matatu, implored Zimbabweans to defend the country’s independence and sovereignty at all costs, as a way of paying homage to illustrious sons and daughters such as Brig-Gen Mzheri.
“As we pay our last respects to the late gallant son of the soil, we must not forget the sacrifices he and other heroes and heroines made for the freedom of our motherland, Zimbabwe.
“We must defend what they stood and fought for, Zimbabwe’s independence and sovereignty, at all costs,” said Lt Gen Matatu.
He said Brig-Gen Mzheri belonged to the pioneering generation of military officers who laid the foundation for the modern ZNA.
“General Mzheri was among the first crop of senior and general officers in the ZNA. These senior and general officers managed the integration process at the formation of the ZNA and, while it was still in its infancy, deployed and commanded its formations on operations in Mozambique to safeguard our strategic lifeline through that country,” he said.
“They laid the foundation upon which ZNA operational concepts were developed. They laid the foundation upon which the ZNA grew into a formidable force, excelling internationally on United Nations peacekeeping operations and on Operation Sovereign Legitimacy in the DRC, doing the nation proud and gaining the respect of our allies and foes.”
Brig-Gen was born on March 7, 1950, in Mberengwa District, Midlands Province.
Lt-Gen Matatu said Brig-Gen Mzheri was among the group of 800 cadres who underwent military training at Morogoro Training Camp in Tanzania in 1974.
“Among his fellow trainees were Ambassador Major General (Retired) Thando Madzvamuse and Brigadier-General (Retired) Kindness Ndlovu, while his instructors included the current Commander Defence Forces General Philip Valerio Sibanda and Brigadier-General (Retired) (Abel) Mazinyane,” he said.
“As a result of his commitment and determination, the late Brigadier-General excelled during training, displaying remarkable command and leadership potential to lead other cadres in war.
“He was identified and selected to proceed to the Soviet Union for leadership training.”
Brig-Gen Mzheri also participated in the Lancaster House Peace Talks in 1979 as a military advisor.
At independence, he was one of the first 18 ex-combatants to be attested into the Zimbabwe National Army as a Colonel on April 16, 1981, becoming the first Commandant at Inkomo Garrison.
Throughout his decorated military career, he held several key positions, including Commander 3 Infantry Brigade, Commander Special Task Force Mozambique, and Director General Defence Policy, Public Relations and Protocol, before retiring on July 31, 1999.
Lt-Gen Matatu said Brig-Gen Mzheri’s professional conduct was exemplary.
“To the late Brigadier-General (Retired) Mpandasekwa Mzheri, we say you were one among the finest general officers to be produced in this country. You raised the bar of patriotism so high that the nation is in a period of mourning following your untimely passing,” he said.
“Your professional conduct, whose qualities were based on honesty, integrity, humility, stability, loyalty, enthusiasm and leadership, speaks well into your legacy.”
Brig-Gen Mzheri was decorated with several medals, among them the Liberation Medal, Independence Medal, Ten Years’ Service Medal, Long and Exemplary Service Medal, Mozambique Campaign Medal, and the Grand Officer of the Zimbabwe Order of Merit Award for his distinguished service to the nation.
He is survived by four children, Anesu, Ropafadzai, Tinashe and Khanye.
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