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Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Reporter
FORMER police Deputy Commissioner and National Hero Cde Moses Griffiths Mpofu was given an emotional send-off in Bulawayo yesterday ahead of his burial at the National Heroes Acre in Harare today.
Cde Mpofu (66), whose Chimurenga/Umvukela name was Matswata Witness Mhlanga, died last Friday at the United Bulawayo Hospitals after a long illness.
His body arrived in Harare after it was airlifted by an Air Force of Zimbabwe helicopter from Mzilikazi Barracks following brief send-off services at the Doves Funeral Service parlour and his home in Mahatshula South yesterday afternoon.
Strict Covid-19 regulations were followed during the send-off services which were attended by a limited number of family members, Government officials including Bulawayo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Judith Ncube.
Service chiefs including Zimbabwe Republic Police, Officer Commanding Bulawayo Province, Commissioner Patton Mbangwa attended the funeral services.
There was no body viewing both at the parlour and at his home in line with Covid-19 regulations.
Some of the family members cried uncontrollably during the brief services as officials from Doves Funeral Services told mourners that Covid-19 had disrupted the normal way of conducting funeral services.
At his home the body was not even removed from the hearse.
A police cap was placed on top of his coffin as a sombre atmosphere engulfed both his home and the funeral parlour.
At the family’s residence, Minister Ncube saluted Cde Mpofu for his contributions in pre- and post-independent Zimbabwe.
She said National Hero status was a befitting honour for a man who dedicated most of his time to liberate the country.
“We want to thank our brother ubaba uMpofu for the works he did for the country. He contributed in the liberation of the country and in independent Zimbabwe he continued to serve in the police force for a better and united Zimbabwe.
We salute him for his sacrifices. Also, I want to thank the Mahatshula community for standing with the Mpofu family during this difficult period. Let’s remain united and wish mercies for those who are accompanying the body to Harare for burial,” she said.
President Mnangagwa mourned Cde Mpofu saying the country had been robbed of another gallant son of the soil.
“His passing on has left a deep wound in our hearts that will be difficult to heal. We shall remember him for his strong virtues of courage, fortitude, patriotism and integrity, which he amply demonstrated before, and after independence as a senior police officer of the Zimbabwe Republic Police. The life he lived shall continue to inspire our nation,” said President Mnangagwa.
Cde Mpofu served in the police force from 1981 to 2003 having been a freedom fighter during the war of independence.
He excelled in his career and rose through the ranks to Deputy Commissioner in 1999, a rank which he held until his retirement in December 2003. He served at various stations across the country including Mayobodo, Fort Rixon, Esigodini, Gwanda, Bulawayo Central and Harare province
The national hero joined the liberation struggle in 1975 and was part of the Zapu intelligence wing the National Security Order as a counter-intelligence agency against Rhodesian forces. He underwent several police command-related courses between 1978 and 1979 at Novocherkassk Advanced Police Academy under the then Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).
Rtd Deputy Commissioner Mpofu did his primary education at Nsezi Primary School in Tsholotsho in Matabeleland North before moving to Thegwani High School where he completed his secondary education.
The late national hero is survived by wife Sibonile Khumalo and four children.-@nqotshili
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