The late Brigadier General (Rtd) Dr. Michael Chaminuka
By Vincent Kaseke
A somber atmosphere engulfed the National Heroes Acre in Harare Monday morning as mourners gathered to pay their last respects to the late Brigadier General (Rtd) Dr. Michael Chaminuka.
Cde Chaminuka, who passed away on July 13 at the age of 62, will be remembered for his selfless dedication to Zimbabwe as he played a significant role during the liberation struggle and continued to serve with distinction in the military after independence.
Scores of people, including senior government officials, diplomats, serving and retired security service members, and relatives of the late national hero assembled at the national shrine as early as 7 am, amid song, dance and eulogies for the national hero, whose liberation war name was Cde Pepukai Hondo.
In a heartfelt eulogy, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, a decorated veteran of the liberation struggle and a champion of freedom and economic development, chronicled the life of Cde Chaminuka from his early years until his untimely death. He placed prime emphasis on the lessons the nation needs to draw from the legacy of the late Cde Chaminuka.
“His passing on is yet another huge blow, as the nation has lost a loyal, versatile, and astute officer, who sacrificed his life to wholeheartedly serve Zimbabwe. His humble disposition, dedication, and commitment to duty, as well as his exemplary patriotism, unwavering consistency, and persistence in service to our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe, earned this award of national hero to rest among other great patriots,” said the president.
The president indicated that the late Retired Brigadier General bequeaths to the nation a rich heritage and inspirational legacy of hard work, discipline, and professionalism, hence serving security service members should emulate his unparalleled service.
“The current generation of officers, men, and women in our country’s security services are challenged to emulate such a culture of excellence, commitment to duty, and focus on results, as demonstrated by our late National Hero and his contemporaries,” he remarked.
He noted that the late General Officer had attended several military courses in intelligence, peacekeeping, and general command and had also acquired a Doctorate in Philosophy (Ethics) from the University of KwaZulu Natal in South Africa. These qualifications undoubtedly
The President took the opportunity to remind the nation to treasure its history and gain inspiration as the nation travels towards economic prosperity under Vision 2030.
“As we pay our last respects to the late National Hero, Retired Brigadier General Dr. Michael Chaminuka, ‘A people who do not know their history are like trees without roots.’ This history must, therefore, continue to inspire us as we harness the many opportunities and ward off the challenges that we may face as we march on to realize Vision 2030,” said the president.
President Mnangagwa also told the nation that another late Zimbabwe Defence Forces member, Rtd. Brigadier General Lameck Mutanda, who passed on, was declared a National Hero and was buried in the United Kingdom.
“I also express sincere condolences to the Mutanda Family following the loss of yet another retired senior officer of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, Rtd. Brigadier General Lameck Mutanda, who passed on and was buried in the United Kingdom.
“He was conferred with a posthumous National Hero status in recognition of his selfless contribution to the liberation of Zimbabwe and service as an exemplary and loyal military officer in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.
“I call upon the Chaminuka and Mutanda families to find comfort and solace from the great works that were done by these patriotic sons of Zimbabwe. Our prayers and deepest sympathies are with you during this trying and difficult period,” said the president, a decorated veteran of the struggle himself.
The late National Hero, Cde Michel Chaminuka arrived at Doroi camp and after several months, he was selected for initial training at Tembwe Base 2 in 1978.
On completion, the late Brigadier General was further selected for a military medical training course in Chimoio under the tutorship of one of our long serving national leaders and Party elder, Cde Dr Sydney Sekeramayi.
After the medical training course, Brigadier General Chaminuka was deployed to the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA) National Pharmacy in
Mozambique. This strategic facility ensured that medicines and related sundries were constantly available to support those injured in the operational zones.
As the Rhodesian Forces were losing ground in the war front, they resorted to heinous methods of lacing food, medicine and clothing destined for liberation fighters with poison.
The late Brigadier General Chaminuka and his fellow comrades in the pharmacy division had to meticulously execute their duties by checking and testing medicines for poisonous substances before dispatch to the operational zones. This prevented fatalities of liberation fighters at the front.
At ceasefire in 1979, the late Retired Brigadier General and his fellow comrades remained in Mozambique protecting
the Pharmaceutical Warehouse, and ready for any relapse into war and fighting.
When it became clear that independence was certain, the late Cde ‘Pepukai Hondo,’
joined other comrades at Echo Assembly Point in Nyanga in 1980 before being transferred to Tongogara Assembly Point in Chipinge.
He was later attested in the Zimbabwe National Army, on 5 January 1981 and deployed to serve under Headquarters 1 Infantry Brigade in Bulawayo Province.
During his illustrious career in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, the late General Officer held several challenging appointments which include Directing Staff at the Zimbabwe Staff College; Director Military Intelligence Department (MID) at Army Headquarters; and, Director Business Development at the Zimbabwe National Defence University.
He also served as a Personal Staff Officer to then Commander Zimbabwe Defence Forces, now Vice President, General Chiwenga.
In the Zimbabwe National Army, the late General Officer rose through the ranks to become Brigadier General. He attended several military courses in intelligence, peacekeeping and general command.
He was a recognised academic in the fields of Defence and Strategic Studies, as well as International Relations. He acquired a Doctorate in Philosophy (Ethics) from the University of Kwazulu Natal, in South Africa an indication of his insatiable appetite for knowledge and development.
In honour of his impeccable record of service, he received military accolades and awards that include the Liberation Medal; Ten Years’ Service Medal; Long and Exemplary Service Medal; the Mozambique Campaign Medal; the Democratic Republic of Congo Campaign Medal; the United Nations Commendation Medal and Grand Officer of the Zimbabwe of Merit award.
