Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza, [email protected]
ZIMBABWE National Army (ZNA) Commander Lieutenant-General Asher Walter Tapfumaneyi has called on Zimbabweans to jealously guard the country’s independence and sovereignty in honour of liberation heroes who sacrificed their lives for freedom.
Lt-Gen Tapfumaneyi made the remarks yesterday during a funeral parade held at Khumalo Barracks in Bulawayo in honour of the late Brigadier-General (Retired) Samuel Mpabanga.
He said Zimbabwe’s independence was attained through immense sacrifice and urged citizens to uphold the legacy of both living and fallen heroes.
“The late Brigadier-General sacrificed his youth to see our beloved country free and continued with this sacrifice beyond independence as the country navigated towards total economic empowerment for its citizens. He has left behind lifelong lessons for the next generation of officers in the Zimbabwe National Army,” he said.
Lt Gen Tapfumaneyi said Brig-Gen Mpabanga remained steadfast in defending the country against regime change agendas allegedly pursued by detractors.
“As we pay our last respects to the late gallant son of the soil, we are challenged to safeguard the freedom of our motherland, Zimbabwe, lest what he and his colleagues sacrificed would have been in vain,” he said.
The late Brigadier-General is survived by wife and four children.He was 69.
He passed on at Gwanda General Hospital on Monday after a long illness.
Born on August 31, 1956 in Gwanda, he attended Mapate Primary School and Beitbridge Primary School from 1963 to 1970 before proceeding to Manama Mission (1971 to 1972) and Matobo Secondary School from 1973 to 1974.
He joined the liberation struggle as a ZIPRA cadre in 1977. After briefly staying at Mapate, he crossed the Shashe River into Botswana en route to Selibe Phikwe. During the crossing, they encountered Rhodesian Forces patrols, making the journey perilous.
He later spent three months at Selibe Phikwe Prison alongside his uncle, the late Raphel Mpabanga, Martin Kukubele and the late Sibusiso Mpabanga.
Brig-Gen Mpabanga commenced military training in late 1977 at Mulungushi under the Zambian army with ZIPRA attachments that included the late Cephas Khupe and the late Gedi Dube.
He later proceeded for further military training in Russia, formerly the Soviet union in Odessa, from 1978 to 1979 with other trainees who included the late Sthunywa Makhado, Martin Kukubele and the late Finland Bhebhe.
“Upon completion of training, he returned from Russia and was appointed instructor at Solwezi and was later deployed in Siyavonga along the Zambezi River with other trainees where he held the appointment of military commissariat,” said Lt-Gen Tapfumaneyi.
Brig-Gen Mpabanga joined the ZNA on July 12, 1980.
He rose through the ranks to Brigadier-General.
“He had an illustrious military career in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and rose through the ranks from the position of Private in 1980, Lieutenant in 1981, Captain in 1987, Major in 1988, Lieutenant Colonel in 1999, Colonel in 2018, and Brigadier-General in 2022,” said Lt Gen Tapfumaneyi.
“Brig-Gen Mpabanga retired from active service on August 31, 2022 after having served diligently with unwavering patriotism in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces. His legacy of commitment to duty will endure for a long time in the organisation.”
Mr Lot Mpabanga, the late Brigadier-General’s brother described him a unifier in the family.
“He always strived to bring the family together and was unifier. His dedication to the country and army was unmatched and the family has lost someone that we looked up to for guidance and support,” he said.
Mourners are gathered at number 4 McGee Road, Sauerstown suburb in Bulawayo.
