Online Reporter
President Mnangagwa is today expected to preside over the burial of national hero Major General (Retired) Richard Ruwodo at the national heroes acre.
Maj Gen Ruwodo died on July 7 2026 at a local private hospital and was declared national hero.
Thousands of people have already filled the terraces as they came to bid farewell to their liberation icon.
Among the dignitaries that have arrived include Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga, Speaker of Parliament, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, Defence Minister and Zanu PF national Chairman Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Cabinet Ministers, Service Chiefs, diplomats accredited to Zimbabwe colleagues and friends.
Mourners are currently being treated to several entertainment activities that include choral music and the police band, among others.
‘Major-General (Rtd) Ruwodo a prominent military officer’
Major-General (Retired) Richard Ruwodo was one of the most prominent senior officers in the Zimbabwe National Army who, at independence in 1980, became the army’s first black director of Zimbabwe Army Records, a post he held with distinction, Commander Zimbabwe Defence Forces General Emmanuel Matatu said.
General Matatu said this during a funeral parade held in honour of Major-General (Rtd) Ruwodo, whose nom de guerre was “Moshe Pwititi”, at Charles Gumbo Barracks in Harare.
Major-General Ruwodo was born on March 14, 1954 in Samushonga Village, Manicaland Province. He received his primary education at Mutasa Primary School in Mutare District and went on to Highfield Secondary in Harare.
Upon completion of secondary education, he was employed at BATA Shoe Company in 1973 as a salesman. He was later promoted to relief manager, serving in that capacity until 1975.
The young Richard answered the call to duty, leaving the comforts of home to join the liberation struggle in 1975 as a dedicated ZANLA cadre.
He was among the third group of cadres to receive military training in Mozambique. His group was trained at Chimoio and included the likes of Colonel (Rtd) Shaw Matemachani, the late Thomas Bvuma and several others.
Major-General (Rtd) Ruwodo is survived by his wife, Lois Ruwodo, and three children.
