Story by John Nhandara
THE late retired army officer, Brigadier General (Rtd) Mark Charles Chimwaza, has been declared a national hero.
Minister of State for National Security, Honourable Lovemore Matuke, announced the hero status at the late officer’s family home in Kuwadzana, Harare, describing Brigadier General Chimwaza as a committed cadre who dedicated his life to defending the country’s legacy during and after independence.
“Cde Chimwaza, whose Chimurenga name was Paddington Chafachaora, was born in Marange. He sacrificed to go for the liberation struggle in 1976, and he fought under ZANLA force. He was based at Doroi Camp in Mozambique and later went to Chimoio for training. They were attacked in Chimoio, but he never gave up. He then went to Tembwe for further training. In 1978, he was deployed to Maputo to provide VIP security. In 1979, she was sent to Romania for further training. When he came back, he joined the Zimbabwe national army where he rose through the ranks from private to,” he said.
The family expressed gratitude to the government and the ZANU PF Politburo for the honour bestowed on Brigadier General (Rtd) Chimwaza.
“We are grateful to the leadership and humbled that our brother has been honoured in this way,” Family spokesperson, Mr Edmund Chimwaza, said.
Born in 1957, Brigadier General (Rtd) Chimwaza, whose Chimurenga name was Cde Paddington Chafachaora, joined the liberation struggle as a ZANLA cadre when he left school and crossed into Mozambique in 1976.
He received military training at Chimoio camp and later at the Tembwe ZANLA military training base, where he completed his military training in 1978.
He is survived by his wife, Viola Chimwaza and three children.
Mourners are gathered at House Number 5373 in Kuwadzana 7.
