Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
THE veterinary fraternity was stunned into silence following the heart-wrenching and untimely death of Manicaland Veterinary Director, Dr Charles Guri last Sunday evening.
He was 57.
Dr Guri’s life was cruelly cut short in a tragic road accident, near the 22 Miles Tollgate along Mutare-Chimanimani Highway, leaving an unfillable void in the sector.
He was buried at his rural home in Nyanga on Wednesday.
The demise of Dr Guri, sent shock waves across the country, plunging his family, friends, colleagues, and the entire community into deep mourning.
The province was robbed of a dedicated and hard working civil servant.
As a highly respected figure in the animal health sector, Dr Guri was renowned for his unwavering professionalism and diligence.
He discharged his duties with exceptional expertise, providing invaluable advice on livestock management and fostering strong relationships with farmers and colleagues alike.
Throughout his distinguished career, Dr Guri demonstrated outstanding leadership and vision, earning widespread recognition as a capable and compassionate animal specialist.
His intelligence, dedication, and hard work played a pivotal role in strengthening the agricultural sector in Manicaland.
Manicaland Provincial Epidemiologist, Dr Innocent Chabhanga paid a heartfelt tribute to Dr Guri’s exceptional leadership, highlighting his decisive approach that enabled the province to effectively contain outbreaks of January Disease, anthrax, and foot and mouth in the province.
Dr Guri’s passing has left an unfillable void in the animal health sector, and he will be deeply mourned by his colleagues, who fondly remember him as a hardworking and dedicated member of the animal health protection and regulation team.
A capable and compassionate animal specialist, Dr Guri was always readily available to offer guidance to livestock farmers and worked harmoniously with his colleagues.
He was a pillar of strength in the animal health sector for Manicaland Province, and his colleagues praised his intelligence and dedication to strengthening the agricultural sector.
His leadership and expertise played a pivotal role in protecting the province’s animal health, and his loss is deeply felt.
“Dr Guri’s vast experience, coupled with his innate intelligence, made him an exceptionally knowledgeable and discerning veterinarian, renowned for his wisdom. He was extremely diligent and dedicated, never faltering in his commitment to completing tasks, no matter the cost to his personal time.
To his colleagues, he was a paragon of integrity – straightforward, fair, compassionate, yet firm. He refused to settle for mediocrity, instead inspiring his subordinates with his fatherly approach, motivating and encouraging them to excel.
He remained at the forefront of his field, eagerly embracing new technologies and innovations.
“As a leader, Dr Guri was exemplary – decisive, consultative, and respectful. Under his stewardship, the Department of Veterinary Services in Manicaland achieved remarkable successes, making significant strides in both infrastructure development and service quality. During his tenure, the DVS in Manicaland consistently excelled, meeting and exceeding provincial objectives and targets annually. Dr Guri’s visionary leadership also led to the development of a highly successful data collection and integration system, which has since been scaled up nationally,” said Dr Chabhanga.
Family spokesperson, Mr Wellington Guri said the family has lost a pillar of strength and a father figure who selflessly provided guidance and leadership.
“Dr Guri was a devout Catholic who led a quiet, yet profoundly meaningful spiritual life. Though not publicly affiliated with clubs or associations, he generously shared his time and wisdom, particularly in matters concerning farming, a lifelong passion he nurtured with dedication,” he said.
Mr Guri described his late relative as a compassionate and considerate individual, renowned for his unwavering kindness, quiet strength, and exceptional ability to bring people together.
“He was the glue that united our entire family, embracing this role with grace and warmth,” he said.
He said despite their grief, the family finds solace in knowing that Dr Guri’s life was lived with purpose, and his legacy of integrity and service will continue to inspire all who knew him.
Dr Guri is survived by his wife, Mavis, and their four children – Kudakwashe, Charles Junior, Samantha, and Ashley.
Born on July 11, 1967, at Harare Central Hospital, Dr Guri attended Mugoti and Pfumoiguru Primary Schools in Makoni District, before pursuing secondary education at Harare and Prince Edward High schools.
Dr Guri began his distinguished career in Government in 1994, serving as a veterinary doctor in Chimanimani, Chipinge, Makoni, and Nyanga districts.
In 2013, he was appointed the provincial veterinary boss, a position he held with distinction until his untimely passing.
