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Senior Reporter
THE body of National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) general manager and former freedom fighter Retired Air Commodore Mike Tichafa Karakadzai will be flown to Harare today. Rtd Air Comm Karakadzai (56) died on admission to Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo after he was involved in a horrific accident along the Bulawayo-Harare Road just after Shangani Mine turn-off Flyover Bridge on Monday night.
He sustained serious head, hand and back injuries when his car hit a stray cow at the 79km peg resulting in the vehicle swerving to the right and side swiping with a haulage truck going in the opposite direction.
Rtd Air Comm Karakadzai, who was travelling alone from Harare, was on his way to Bulawayo.
In an interview yesterday, his colleague Air Commodore Felebale Masera who is overseeing funeral proceedings in Bulawayo, said a funeral service for Rtd Air Comm Karakadzai would be conducted at his official residence at Number 56 Livingstone Road, Broadway House in Suburbs at 10am after which his body would be flown to Harare.
“Nothing much is happening today except that there will be a funeral church service at Rtd Air Comm Karakadzai’s Bulawayo residence tomorrow at 10am. After that we will take his body to the airport where it will be flown to Harare,” said Air Comm Masera.
Meanwhile, condolence messages continued to pour in yesterday with Lupane State University (LSU) Acting Vice-Chancellor Dr Maclean Bhala describing Rtd Air Comm Karakadzai as a dedicated leader.
“The Acting Vice-Chancellor Dr MJ Bhala, the University Council and the Lupane State University community extend our deepest and heartfelt sympathy to the Karakadzai family, entire railway community and indeed the nation at large on the passing of this dedicated leader, strategist and freedom fighter.
“His contribution to the growth and development of Lupane State University is so immense and immeasurable. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” said Dr Bhala in a statement.
Rtd Air Comm Karakadzai was born on 7 March 1957 in Chipinge.
At a tender age of 18 he had experienced the brutality of the settler regime and decided to abandon his studies at Mt Jersey Secondary School in Chipinge to take up arms to dislodge the racist colonial regime.
In July 1975, he crossed the border through Espunga Beira to Machazi in Mozambique and was later transferred to Chibawawa Camp.
In March 1976, he left Chibawawa for Chimoio Camp where he received military training.
On completing the training, Rtd Air Comm Karakadzai then known by his Chimurenga name as Cde Hiplevel was selected to undergo political education at Chitepo Ideological College in 1977.
After graduating, he was posted to Tete Province to carry out political education, mobilisation, political research and the setting up of Zanu structures in liberated and semi-liberated zones.
He was later appointed the Detachment Commander for Nyahui (Rushinga District) Detachment.
By 1978 the area had been declared a liberated zone and Rtd Air Comm Karakadzai’s role was to create Zanu political structures and consolidate the liberation of that area.
During the late Air Commodore Karakadzai’s illustrious career in the AFZ, he held numerous positions which included Base Equipment Officer in 1985, Acting Staff Officer Grade 1 Equipment in 1988, and Staff Officer Grade 1 Equipment External in the same year.
In 1989, he was appointed Acting Director Equipment before he was promoted to be the Director Equipment in 1991.
He distinguished himself in executing his duties and was promoted to the post of Director General Operations three years later.
In 2000, he was appointed the Deputy Secretary for Defence Policy and Procurement.
Rtd Air Comm Karakadzai is survived by wife, Sylvia and five sons.
Mourners are gathered at Number 56 Livingstone Road, Broadway House in Suburbs, Bulawayo and Number 33 Guyscliff Road, Greystone Park in Harare..
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