Online Reporter
Columbus Mabika, Zimpapers Writer
The late national hero, Brigadier-General Retired Victor Rungani whose Chimurenga name was “Comrade Nyoka’’ was a high calibre general whose loyalty, dedication and quest for the country’s development is beyond reproach, Commander of Zimbabwe National Army, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Matatu has said.
He made these remarks yesterday while presiding over a full military parade in honour of Brig Gen Rungani held at Charles Gumbo barracks in the capital where he was the chief mourner.
Brig Gen Rungani passed away in Harare last week after a short illness.
He was 76.
“Brig-General Rungani has left a legacy of excellence in the defence forces, his exceptional loyalty and patriotism towards his beloved country reminds us of how lucky we are as a nation to have a generation of officers and commanders of Rungani’s calibre. His will to fight for the liberation of the country and defend its ideals after independence remain unmatched,” he said.
“He was a distinguished officer whose work we shall forever cherish. Above all, he remained focused and steadfast in the face of neo-colonial machinations before and after the attainment of the country’s independence.”
Brig-Gen Rungani (Rtd) was born on June 29, 1949 in Bikita district, Chinobva Village, under Chief Mukanganwi.
He attended Mashingaidze school in Zaka for his primary education from 1958 to 1961 for Sub A to Standard One.
He later went to Mutimwi School for Sub Standard Two to Standard Four and lastly to Zimuto Central Primary School for Standard Five and Six.
He attended secondary education at Zimuto Secondary School for forms One and Two and Luveve Secondary School in Bulawayo up to Form Four.
Brig-Gen (Rtd) Rungani left Bulawayo in 1968 for the then Salisbury and stayed in Highfield, Zororo Western Triangle section.
In 1969, he enrolled with Monomutapa Technical Training College for a certificate in mechanical engineering before in the same year enrolling with a technical training college run by JF Weedman, a member of the Centre party which was contesting the Rhodesian Front.
Mr Weedman organised his recruitment by the group engineer of Clan and Trek Transport as an apprentice.
Brig-Gen (Rtd) Rungani was sponsored by Clan and Trek to train as an apprentice in automotive engineering at Salisbury Polytechnic, being the first group of black apprentices in 1969.
From 1969 to 1972, he did a craft and technician course with the City and Guilds of London.
He later worked for Clan and Trek until he left for the war of liberation.
Brig-Gen Rungani (Rtd) became a member of the Zimbabwe youth centre and started to participate in youth politics where he was the organising secretary for Highfield youth during the Pearce Commission and later became the organising secretary for Salisbury.
As the impetus of the liberation struggle gathered momentum and penetrated all corners of the country, Brig-Gen Rungani, together with his colleagues, developed a keen interest in the unfolding political events in the country.
In 1975, he joined the liberation struggle as a Zanla cadre and crossed the border into Mozambique, where he briefly stayed at Machaze, Chibawawa and Nyadzonia base camps.
He received his military training at Mapinduzi camp in Chimoio and was deployed to the department of transport responsible for Manica province before being appointed director of transport for Gaza province.
In 1978, he was transferred to the Gaza province sector as commander of Sabotage operations. He was deployed in the advance detachment of Filabusi, Gwatemba and Fort Rixon in 1979.
At Ceasefire he went to Juliet Assembly Point in Matabeleland South province.
At integration, he was attested into the Zimbabwe National Army and became the first commanding officer of the 43 Infantry Battalion in Gutu.
He held several positions in the army and also did various military courses.
derick.khumalo