Story by Fairstars Mukungurutse
LIBERATION war hero, Cde Phinias Chiutsi, who died on Monday, has been laid to rest at Glen Forest Cemetery in Harare, with mourners paying tribute to his role in Zimbabwe’s struggle for independence and subsequent national service.
Born on August 7, 1957, the late Cde Chiutsi, known by his Chimurenga name Cde Tendai Mudzimu, joined the liberation struggle in 1976 in Mutoko.
He received military training at Tembwe Base 1 and 2 in Mozambique between 1976 and 1977, before advancing to study security intelligence. Following independence, he served in the Zimbabwe National Army and later in the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
Family members described him as a unifying figure whose life was defined by integrity and commitment to family cohesion.
“We are devastated as a family because he was a unifier; if it were a game of football, we would describe him as a link man, someone who would unite the family. He was a father figure,” Family Spokesperson Mr Chaka Dzenga said.
“I worked with him for a long time. His heart was soft as wool. I learnt a lot from him, for me to be where I am it was through Cde Chiutsi’s contribution,” Colleague Mr Noah Chirata said.
Harare Metropolitan Permanent Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Dr Shingirayi Mushamba, paid tribute to Cde Chiutsi’s dedication to free Zimbabwe from colonial oppression.
“The road to independence was not an easy one. It took dedicated sons and daughters of the soil, such as the likes of Cde Chiutsi, to go and fight for the people of Zimbabwe. They fought battle after battle until they won the war of liberation,” he said.
Cde Chiutsi is survived by his wife and four children.
He was 64.
