admin
Columbus Mabika, Herald Reporter
The Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) yesterday held a full funeral parade in honour of veteran VIP parlour Chaplain, Lieutenant Colonel Tapera Mpahlo.
Lt Col Mpahlo was 56.
He died on Monday at One Commando Camp Hospital at Charles Gumbo Barracks in Harare after a short illness.
Presiding over the parade, ZNA Brigadier-General Milton Bvudzijena said the entire army was saddened by Lt Col Mpahlo’s death.
“On behalf of the Commander ZNA, officers, men and women of the Zimbabwe National Army friends and relatives here gathered, allow me to give our heartfelt condolences following the death of this senior officer. The organisation is indeed saddened,” he said.
Lt Col Mpahlo was born on April 18, 1968 at Mashoko Mission in Matsai communal area under Chief Mabika, Bikita District.
After primary education at Tugwi Primary School he attended Mashoko High School to 1986.
He did a ministerial diploma in theology at Pentecostal Bible College from 1989 to 1991.
Lt Col Mpahlo was then attested into the ZNA in 1996 under Zimbabwe Corps of Chaplains and did his basic recruit training the same year.
During his career he held various challenging appointments commensurate to ranks he held.
In recognition of his “proven and unquestionable loyalty and dedication in service to the nation” he was awarded the Independence Medal, 10 years’ service medal, long and exemplary medal, Democratic Republic of Congo campaign medal and the Order of Merit award.
He will be buried today at Glen Forest Cemetery in Harare.
Lt Col Mpahlo is survived by his wife Lineth Mpahlo and three children.
Online Reporter