VP Chiwenga mourns Brig-Gen Satuku

Mukudzei Chingwere

Herald Reporter

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has described the late Brigadier General (Rtd) Fidelis Satuku as a dedicated military officer and a professional beyond reproach.

Brig-Gen Satuku died on Monday at 3 Field Ambulance Company in Mutare after suffering from kidney related complications.  

VP Chiwenga, the former Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander, worked with the late Brig-Gen Satuku during his days in the military.

“I was privileged to work with the late Brig-Gen (Rtd) Satuku, following his integration into the Zimbabwe National Army in June 1980 as a Major.

“He was a polished officer whose professionalism was beyond reproach. Due to his dedication to duty and high professional and ethical standards, he was therefore seconded to the United Nations to understudy the commanders of the First Battalion Welsh Guards and Pirbright.”

VP Chiwenga added: “General Satuku was also a versatile officer, a quality that made it easier for the Zimbabwe National Army to task him variously and where it mattered most until 2015 when he retired from service.”

General Satuku was a veteran of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle and VP Chiwenga talked about his exploits in the independence war.

“Like many youths of his day and age, Brig-Gen (Rtd) Satuku joined the liberation struggle when he crossed the border into Mozambique to join ZANLA forces in 1976. 

“His second Chimurenga name was Cde George Mackenzie. The General briefly stayed at Doeroi Base before moving to Takawira 1 Base in 1977 for his initial military training. Later he moved to Takawira Base 2 to complete military training.

“Upon completion of his training he was amongst the other comrades who were selected for further military training in Romania in 1978 and got deployed to Chilimanzi Detachment of Musikavanhu sector, where he operated up to the end of the war in 1979.”

In condoling with the Satuku family, VP Chiwenga said this was not their loss only but that of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and the entire nation.