National hero Chimwaza burial tomorrow

Columbus Mabika

Herald Reporter

NATIONAL hero Brigadier-General (Retired) Mark Charles Chimwaza will be buried at the National Heroes Acre tomorrow.

Cde Chimwaza, whose nom de guerre was Cde Paddington Chafachaora, succumbed to lung cancer on Saturday.

He was 68.

In a statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage said President Mnangagwa will preside over the burial.

“The late National Hero Brigadier General (Rtd) Mark Charles Chimwaza who passed away on December 13, 2025 will be laid to rest on Saturday, December 20, 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 procession and ceremony honouring a deceased service member, featuring formal marching, precise drill movements, symbolic elements like a riderless horse, flag-draped casket, rifle volleys and the playing of “Taps,” culminating in the presentation of the folded flag to the next of kin, symbolising national gratitude for their faithful service.

Commander ZNA, Lieutenant-General Asher Walter Tapfumaneyi, who was the chief mourner, described the decorated officer as a distinguished soldier 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 said.

“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.”

Lt -Gen Tapfumaneyi reminded the nation to defend what heroes and heroines stood and fought for, which is Zimbabwe’s independence and sovereignty at all costs, emulating and upholding the principles and values that the late Brigadier General Chimwaza has left.

Former ZNA spokesperson Brigadier General Retired Alphios Makotore, who at some time-shared trenches with Brig General Chimwaza, courses 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, said the late senior officer was a family unifier, who the family will forever remember.

Brig-Gen Chimwaza, who was born on October 4, 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. Whilst undertaking military training, Chimoio Camp was attacked and as such, he could not finish his training.

He returned to Doroi Camp and later went to Tembwe ZANLA military training base to complete his military 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. He left a legacy of excellence in the ZNA and the defence forces at large.

Brig-Chimwaza is survived by his wife, Viola and three daughters.

Mourners are gathered at House Number 5373 Kuwadzana 7 in Harare.