Vusumuzi Dube
Harare Bureau
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has conferred national hero status on Brigadier-General (Retired) Michael Chaminuka and the late Brigadier-General (Retired) Lameck Mutanda.
Brig-Gen Chaminuka (62), died on Saturday at Borrowdale Trauma Centre in Harare after a short illness.
Also known by his Chimurenga name “Pepukai Hondo”, Brig-Gen Chaminuka will be buried at the National Heroes Acre in Harare on a date to be advised.
Brig-Gen Mutanda died in the United Kingdom on May 22 and was buried there.
Zanu PF National Chairperson Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri delivered the message to the Chaminuka family last night.
“The late national hero sacrificed his entire life to liberate Zimbabwe from the Ian Smith regime. His immense contribution during and after the liberation struggle will be greatly cherished.
“President Mnangagwa and the entire party leadership have conferred the late Brigadier General (Retired) Chaminuka national hero status and he will be interred at the National Heroes Acre,” she said.
Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri urged the Chaminuka family to remain resolute in supporting the party.
“The late general’s life was not only characterised by his simplicity, honesty, humility and an affectionate smile that he wore, but also by exceptional courage, bravery, seriousness and performance regardless of the task at hand,” she said.
Brig-Gen Chaminuka’s daughter, Dr Michelle Rutendo Chaminuka, described her father as a hard-working person.
“He was a hardworking and honest man. He loved his children and made sure we all attained educational qualifications,” said Dr Chaminuka.
She commended President Mnangagwa and the Zanu PF leadership for declaring her father a national hero.
“As the Chaminuka family, we will follow the footsteps of our father and support President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030,” said Dr Chaminuka.
The Government will announce the burial date after consultations with the family.
In statement yesterday, Zanu PF Secretary General Cde Obert Mpofu confirmed that President Mnangagwa had conferred posthumous national hero status on the late Brig-Gen Mutanda.
“His Excellency, the President and First Secretary of Zanu PF Cde ED Mnangagwa has conferred national hero status on the late Brigadier-General (Retired) Lameck Mutanda, who died on May 22, 2024, and was buried in the United Kingdom.”
Brig-Gen Chaminuka was the seventh child in a family of eight.
He attended Kapfunde Primary School from 1969 in Hurungwe and proceeded for his secondary education at St Columbus Secondary School in Honde Valley, Manicaland, for Form One and Two in 1975 and 1976.
He did not complete his Form Two classes because the school was closed by the Smith regime after many of its students crossed the border into Mozambique to join the liberation struggle.
He then went to St Johns Secondary School Chikwaka in Goromonzi District, where he continued with his Form 2 and later began Form 3 in 1976.
As he was still pursuing his secondary education at St Johns, there were all-night gatherings (pungwes) at nearby villages addressed by freedom fighters. This led to some students’ demonstrations at the school, which resulted in the Rhodesian forces coming to the school and arresting students in Forms 4 up to 6 who were perceived to be the ring leaders.
The arrests by the Rhodesian forces led the late retired Brig Gen, who had been spared because of his age, to join the liberation struggle at the age of 17.
He crossed into Mozambique with five other colleagues and joined the liberation struggle in late 1977.
After some months, he was then selected for initial training at Tembwe Base 2 in 1978. After completing that phase, he was selected for a medical training course in Chimoio, where one of his instructors was Dr Sydney Sekeramayi.
After the medical training course, he was deployed to the national pharmacy, where all medicines were received and stored before being dispatched to operational zones.
During the ceasefire, the late Brig Gen and his fellow comrades remained in Mozambique guarding the national pharmacy. He then joined other comrades at Echo Assembly Point in Nyanga in 1980 after elections, from where he was selected to join the Zimbabwe National Army.
He was attested into the Zimbabwe National Army on January 5, 1981 and served under Headquarters 1 Infantry Brigade.
During his illustrious career in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, the late general officer held several challenging appointments which included: Desk officer at Military Intelligence Directorate, directing staff at the Zimbabwe Staff College, personal staff officer to the Commander Zimbabwe Defence Forces, director Military Intelligence at Army Headquarters and director business development at the Zimbabwe National Defence University.
During his military career, he rose through the ranks from private to Brigadier General and attended several military courses which included Basic Intelligence Officers’ Course, Intermediate Intelligence Course, Junior Staff Course, Joint Command and Staff Course, United Nations Peacekeeping Course in Cote d’Ivoire, Multi-National Peacekeeping Course in Tanzania and Defence and Security Military Relations in South Africa.
For his exploits, Brig Gen Chaminuka was awarded the Mozambique Campaign Medal; Democratic Republic of Congo Campaign Medal, United Nations Commendation Medal and the Grand Officer of the Zimbabwe Order of Merit Award.
The Zimbabwe Defence Forces on Tuesday held a full military parade in honour of the late decorated general officer, Brigadier General (Rtd) Chaminuka.
He is survived by wife, Dr Lillian Chaminuka, and five children.
Mourners are gathered at 353 Valyonga Close in Glen Lorne, Harare.
Online Reporter