dyton mupawaenda
Rumbidzayi Zinyuke-Senior Reporter
THE body of national hero and former Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) Director, Cde Walter Basopo, was yesterday flown to his rural home in Gutu, where it lay in state.
Today, the body will be flown to Chinhoyi, where it will lie in state at his farm before being returned to Harare tomorrow, in preparation for his burial.
Speaking during a send-off ceremony at Charles Gumbo Barracks yesterday, Director of Human Resources in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Mr Maxwell Maguse, outlined the funeral arrangements.
“Cde Basopo is being taken to Zinatsa Primary School in Gutu, his rural home, where friends and relatives will have an opportunity to pay their last respects.
“Tomorrow afternoon, the body will be taken to his farm in Chinhoyi for another farewell gathering with family members and colleagues. It will then be transported back to Harare on Tuesday afternoon,” he said.
Cde Basopo, who was 66 at the time of his death, will be laid to rest at the National Heroes Acre on Wednesday.
Mr Maguse paid tribute to the late hero, saying: “We value the contribution made by Cde Basopo to the liberation of our country, which we continue to enjoy today. Many did not make it back from the war, but Cde Basopo continued to serve the nation until his death. The honour bestowed on him by President Mnangagwa is truly fitting.”
Cde Basopo died on Tuesday last week at Life Groenkloof Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa, and was conferred national hero status by President Mnangagwa on Friday in recognition of the immense contributions before, during and after the country’s liberation struggle.
Cde Basopo, who was known by his Chimurenga name Gerry Dzasukwa, was born on February 23, 1959, in Gutu district, Masvingo.
He attended primary school there before doing secondary education at Mzingwane Secondary School in Matabeleland South.
In June 1976, he joined the liberation struggle under ZANLA.
He then underwent military training at the Tembwe Camp, emerging as a full-fledged guerrilla fighter.
After training, Cde Basopo was deployed to ZANLA’s security department in Manica province.
In 1979, he was involved in a road traffic accident on his way to Maputo, which claimed the life of Cde Vicmore.
Cde Basopo sustained serious injuries on one of his arms, which necessitated its amputation. After independence, he was attested into the President’s Department on November 17, 1980, under the internal branch, at the rank of trainee intelligence officer.
In total, Cde Basopo had 45 illustrious years of service in the President’s Department. He is survived by two wives, Ketty and Nyasha, four children and several grandchildren.
Online Reporter