adminGoromonzi.
Cde Muzavazi succumbed to a renal ailment on Friday.
Speakers spoke glowingly of Cde Muzavazi for the role he played during the liberation struggle, the land reform programme and his service in the office of the President.
Many described Cde Muzavazi as a humble, honest and brave man who stood by the Government and his party Zanu-PF even during hard times.
Central Intelligence Organisation director general Retired Major General Happyton Bonyongwe praised Cde Muzavazi for being among the few people who stood by President Mugabe and the party during 2008-9 period when some members including ministers were compromising because of fear.
“In Cde Muzavazi we have lost a friend, colleague, and a loyal security cadre; someone whom officers turned to for advice, jokes and the sharing of job experiences,” he said.
Gen Bonyongwe said even when his health was deteriorating, Cde Muzavazi soldiered on and remained faithful to his duty.
“He was exemplary to other security personnel. We should emulate him by standing for what we believe in by not opening doors to the enemy,” he said.
Goromonzi North House of Assembly Member Cde Paddy Zhanda said Cde Muzavazi’s death was not only a loss to the Muzavazi family but to the entire nation.
He urged other Zanu-PF members to emulate Cde Muzavazi who was truthful to his party and Government in times of trouble.
“Sometimes it is us the leaders who cause confusion in the party. We should be honest, as the party supporters are very much aware of our shortcomings.
“We should look back at where we came from, assess and map the future by correcting the mistakes we have made during these years,” he said.
Cde Zhanda commended President Mugabe for declaring Cde Muzavazi a liberation hero and comforting the bereaved family.
“It is a great honour for the President to attend a funeral. It means the person was important and hardworking,” he said.
Cde Zhanda urged Government to look into the welfare of ex-combatants whom he said were living miserably.
“Most war veterans do not have money and need support for them to live decent lives. We should always support them and ensure their families are assisted,” he said.
The deceased’s son, Tafadzwa, described his father as a principled man.
“My father did not like liars. He was not an easy person to convince and wanted us to be well behaved,” he said.
Born August 10, 1958, Cde Muzavazi once worked as a temporary waiter at Lobels Bakery in Rusape where he stayed with his uncle.
Being alive to the racial discrimination that was perpetrated by colonial settlers, Cde Muzavazi developed a determination to free Zimbabwe from the bondage of colonialism.
He crossed to Mozambique to join the liberation struggle in September 1976.
Cde Muzavazi trained at Tembwe Camp 1 and assumed the Chimurenga name of Rukato Chikunguru.
During the liberation struggle, Cde Muzavazi was acquainted with senior cadres of the struggle such as the late retired general Solomon Mujuru, Cde George Kashiri and Cde Mayor Urimbo, among others.
After independence, Cde Muzavazi was stationed at Zimbabwe House where he rose through the ranks.
Cde Muzavazi was employed into the President’s Department in 1992 at the rank of Security Aide 11.
At the time of his death, Cde Muzavazi was the Principal Security Aide.
He is survived by his wife and five children.
Online Reporter