Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
Mourners from across Beitbridge East gathered at Tshigomele rural home on Saturday to bid farewell to Cde Stanley Mudau, a liberation war veteran and pillar of Ward 15, who was laid to rest in a ceremony marked by tributes to his discipline, service and community spirit.
Born in Tshigomele in 1957 in a family of 5 boys and 3 girls, Cde Mudau answered the call of the liberation struggle at a young age.
He passed away on August 19 after a short illness.
He received his initial military training at Mlungushi in Zambia and later undertook further training in the Soviet Union.
Upon returning to Zambia, he was posted back to Mlungushi under the command of Madliwa and deployed near Kariba in the Shubamende/Sesheke area.
Due to heavy bombardment, the unit withdrew to Kafue. At that time he held the rank of Platoon Commander. Following the ceasefire in 1980, he returned to Zimbabwe and was integrated into the Zimbabwe National Army.
He was stationed at the 1.2 Battalion in Ntabazinduna. After that unit was disbanded, he was transferred to 1.3 Battalion in Greendale, Bulawayo, under Commander Dickson Chauke. The battalion was later disbanded and he was reposted to the 1.6 Battalion, which became the 1.3 Battalion in Gwanda, based at Guyu.
He retired with the rank of Staff Sergeant, prior to the introduction of “One Up”.
After leaving the army, Cde Mudau went to South Africa where he became a successful businessman running a security company called Honey Pot. He later returned home and established Wiseforce in Zimbabwe. He is survived by 7 children.
Speaking at the burial, Matabeleland South War Veterans Chairman Cde Alfred Makhomo Moyo described the late cadre as a man of principle.
“The community has lost a disciplined cadre who will be sadly missed. Cde Mudau carried himself with dignity and served both the nation and his people with commitment,” said Cde Makhomo Moyo.
ZANU PF National Director War Veterans League at party headquarters, Cde EKem Volta Moyo also paid tribute and expressed gratitude for government support towards war veterans.
“We are grateful for the support the government is giving war veterans. I encourage war veterans to document their history to ensure they get the respect they deserve when they die. Our history must be recorded so that future generations know the sacrifices made,” he said.
Ward 15 councillor Cde Oscar Chiromo who is also Beitbridge Rural District Council chairperson described the late war veteran as a businessman of repute and a great community champion.
Family spokesperson Ananias Muzhambi Sibanda said the family had lost a unifier and source of strength.
“We have lost a pillar of strength and a unifier who brought us together. He will be missed by the children, relatives and the entire Ward 15 community,” he said.
Cde Mudau’s burial was attended by war veterans, ZANU PF leaders, community members and family. Speakers remembered him not only as a freedom fighter but as a businessman who created jobs and as an elder who mediated disputes in Ward 15.
