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Columbus Mabika Herald Reporter
ZIMBABWE’s Defence Attaché to Botswana, Colonel John Mhlanga, has died.
He was 59.
Col Mhlanga, a decorated senior army officer and former freedom fighter, died in a road accident along the Bulawayo-Plumtree highway on Tuesday while on his way back to his station in Gaborone.
He is survived by wife Thandiwe and two children. A funeral parade was yesterday held in his honour at the Zimbabwe Military Academy. In a statement, ZNA deputy director Public Relations Lieutenant Colonel Alex Zuva said Col Mhlanga was a patriotic officer whose service to the nation will be missed.
“He was a patriotic, loyal, humble, honest and enthusiastic senior officer whose leadership inspired both his peers and subordinates. He will therefore be greatly missed,” he said.
Col Mhlanga was born on the 1 November 1962 at Chikore Mission commonly known as Craigmore. His family emanated from Manjehwe area, under Headman Siyakisa and Chief Musikavanhu in Chipinge District.
He started his primary education at Bangira Primary School in 1969 before proceeding to Chinaa Primary School and later on Big Tree Primary School where he completed his Grade Seven.
He gave up his education to pursue the revolutionary cause in response to the growing consciousness about the freedom of his country.
Col Mhlanga belonged to that crop of young men and women who quickly developed the political consciousness which gave youths of his day the spirit of confronting the white settler regime with its segregatory policies.
It was not long before the Col Mhlanga found himself crossing the border into Mozambique on 25 July 1976.
He first arrived at Espungabeira, then moved to Posto-Machazi before staying at Chibawawa Refugee Camp until August 1976 when he departed to the Zanu Headquarters in Chimoio.
He commenced initial military training at the end of 1976. After his initial training, he went on to specialise in anti-aircraft guns. He was supposed to deploy to the front in May 1977 but was withdrawn to join an instructors’ course.
Col Mhlanga was one of the cadres who survived the Chimoio attack in 1977. Thereafter, he was deployed to Tangwena Sector in Manicaland, Bonda Detachment. He remained in that operational area until the end of the war.
Col Mhlanga was attested into the ZNA as a private on 11 August 1980 and rose through the ranks becoming a Colonel in 2011.
During his long and illustrious service, he attended many courses and held several positions in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces before being appointed defence attaché to the Republic of Botswana from 2017 until his untimely death.
Besides military courses, Col Mhlanga was a holder of several professional credentials which include a Masters degree in International Studies with the University of Zimbabwe and Masters in Developmental Studies with the National University of Science and Technology.
For his continued dedication, selfless and exemplary service to the nation, he was awarded the Liberation Medal, Independence Medal, Ten Year Service Medal, Long and Exemplary Service Medal, Mozambique Campaign Medal, Democratic Republic of Congo Campaign Medal and was appointed a Commander of the Zimbabwe Order of Merit.
Burial arrangements will be announced in due course.
Online Reporter