Online Reporter
Sunday Mail Reporter
Retired Colonel Claudious Makova who died last Sunday after a short illness and was declared a liberation war hero, was buried at his farm in Mkwasine, Chiredzi district, on Friday.
He died at Hippo Valley Estates Medical Centre.
He was 76.
In a speech read on his behalf by Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira at the burial, the chief mourner, State Security Minister Lovemore Matuke, said Masvingo province had been left poorer by the death of Col Makova.
“It is a very sad day for Masvingo province as a whole as we gather here today on the 11th of July 2025, to pay our last respects to Col Claudious Makova, who passed away on the 6th of July 2025,” he said.
“Col Makova was a gallant and distinguished liberation war fighter and exemplary leader. Masvingo province has been left poorer and with a void too hard to fill as Col Makova was an inspiration in our fight for independence, autonomy, economic emancipation and in defending our national sovereignty through unmatched commitment and dedication to harmony and national security within and outside our borders.
“On behalf of the Government of Zimbabwe and indeed on my behalf, I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Dr E.D. Mnangagwa, and the Makova family at this sad moment of bereavement.”
Family spokesperson Mr Michael Makova described his father as a fountain of wisdom and a trailblazer, who loved his family.
“Our father was a great unifier who made sure that as a family we are always united. Our father loved us and made sure we all went to school. He loved every relative of ours. We want to thank the President for conferring liberation war hero status on our father. We are grateful,” he said.
Col Makova implemented several developmental projects under the education and health sectors in Bikita district.
He was born on April 9, 1949 in the district and did his primary education at Mupamavonde and Matiore primary schools.
He attended Chikwingwizha High School in Gweru for secondary education, before joining the liberation struggle in 1977 under ZANLA forces.
Col Makova received his training at Nachingwea Base in Tanzania and was later deployed to Tete province, where he operated as an instructor.
He was then sent to Romania to train as an aircraft technician and after the training, he returned to Zimbabwe in 1982 and joined the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA).
He served in the ZNA for 13 years and retired in 1995.
Col Makova was Member of Parliament for Bikita West from 2001 to 2008.
He is survived by his wife, six children and grandchildren.
Online Reporter