Online Reporter
Columbus Mabika, Zimpapers Writer
NATIONAL hero Brigadier -eneral (Retired) Mark Charles Chimwaza will be buried at the National Heroes Acre tomorrow. Cde Chimwaza, whose nom de guerre was Cde Paddington Chafachaora, passed away last Saturday after battling lung cancer. He was 68.
In a statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage confirmed that President Mnangagwa will preside over the burial.
“The late National Hero Brigadier-General (Rtd) Mark Charles Chimwaza, who passed away on 13 December 2025, will be laid to rest on Saturday, 20 December 2025 at the National Heroes Acre. His Excellency, the President, Cde Mnangagwa, will preside over the burial ceremony,” read the statement in part.
Yesterday, the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) held a full military funeral parade at Charles Gumbo Barracks. A military funeral parade is a highly structured, solemn ceremony honouring a deceased service member, featuring formal marching, precise drill movements, symbolic elements such as a riderless horse, a flag-draped casket, rifle volleys and the playing of “Taps,” culminating in the presentation of the folded flag to the next of kin as a symbol of national gratitude for their faithful service.
Commander ZNA, Lieutenant-General Asher Walter Tapfumaneyi, who was the chief mourner, described the late decorated officer as a distinguished military leader who remained steadfast in the face of neo-colonial machinations by the country’s detractors.
“The late Brigadier- General was a distinguished military officer whose work we shall forever cherish. Above all, he remained focused and steadfast in the face of neo-colonial machinations by our detractors.
As we pay our last respects to the late gallant Son of the Soil, we must not forget the sacrifices he and other heroes and heroines made for the freedom of our motherland, Zimbabwe.
“He has left a legacy of excellence in the organisation. He has been an icon and a prototype Commander in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces. We say you were one of the finest General Officers to be produced in this country. You raised the bar of patriotism so high that the nation is in a period of mourning following your untimely passing.
“Your professional conduct, whose qualities were based on honesty, integrity, humility, stability, loyalty, enthusiasm and leadership, speaks well into your legacy,” he said.
Lt-Gen Tapfumaneyi reminded the nation to defend what heroes and heroines stood and fought for — Zimbabwe’s independence and sovereignty — emulating and upholding the principles and values that the late Brigadier-General Chimwaza championed.
Former ZNA spokesperson Brigadier-General (Rtd) Alphios Makotore, who shared trenches and worked alongside Brigadier General Chimwaza during their military careers, said his exploits were second to none and would be difficult to replace.
“We have lost a genuine freedom fighter, a patriot, a hard-working man and a disciplinarian. It is going to be difficult to replace him. We worked together and alongside each other during our careers in the defence forces,” he said.
Brig-Gen Chimwaza’s brother, Mr Edmund Chimwaza, described the late senior officer as a family unifier who will forever be remembered.
Brig-Gen Chimwaza was born on 4 October 1957 in Mutare District, Manicaland Province, under Chief Marange and Headman Kurauone. He left school and crossed the border into Mozambique to join the liberation struggle as a ZANLA cadre in 1976. He stayed at Doroi Camp before proceeding to Chimoio for his initial military training at Takawira Two in 1977. While undertaking training, Chimoio Camp was attacked, preventing him from completing the course.
He returned to Doroi Camp and later went to Tembwe ZANLA military training base to complete his training in 1978. Towards the end of 1979, the late General Officer was selected to go for cadet military training in Romania, where he specialised in Field Artillery until 1982.
The General Officer was a highly decorated soldier whose service to the nation spanned decades of sacrifice, leadership and commitment. Brig-Gen Chimwaza retired from active service on April 10, 2022, leaving a legacy of excellence in the ZNA and the defence forces at large.
He is survived by his wife, Viola, and three daughters. Mourners are gathered at House Number 5373, Kuwadzana 7, Harare.
