The late Brigadier General (Rtd) Victor Mpandasekwa Mzheri
By Dickson Bandera
President Emmerson Mnangagwa this Monday led thousands of mourners at the National Heroes Acre in Harare, where he described the late Brigadier General (Rtd) Victor Mpandasekwa Mzheri as a patriotic soldier, gallant fighter, and symbol of selfless service to Zimbabwe.
Brig Gen (Rtd) Mzheri, who died in Harare on October 6 at the age of 75, was declared a National Hero for his outstanding contribution to the country’s liberation struggle and post-independence military service.
“We gather here, at our sacred national shrine to lay to rest Brigadier General (Rtd) Victor Mpandasekwa Mzheri, who was a veteran of the Liberation Struggle and a revered, decorated military Commander in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces,” President Mnangagwa said.
“He was a gallant son of the soil who sacrificed his life for the good of our beloved motherland.”
The solemn ceremony was attended by the First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, Vice Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi, senior government officials, service chiefs, and members of the diplomatic corps.
President Mnangagwa recounted Mzheri’s long military career that spanned from the liberation war to his leadership roles in the Zimbabwe National Army after independence. He said the late hero epitomized loyalty, discipline, and patriotism both in and out of uniform.
“Despite his education qualifications and skills, the youthful Mzheri left the then Rhodesia for Zambia in 1974, where he joined the Liberation Struggle under the Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA),” Mnangagwa said. “He demonstrated command potential which saw him selected to proceed to the Soviet Union for leadership training.”
Mzheri’s war credentials included serving as Deputy Commander at Freedom Camp and later as an Administrator in the ZAPU Presidency under the late Vice President Joshua Nkomo. He also participated at the Lancaster House Peace Talks in 1979 as a military advisor.
At independence, he was among the first 18 ZIPRA cadres to be integrated into the Zimbabwe National Army, rising through the ranks to Brigadier General by 1987. He later held several senior positions including Commandant at Inkomo Garrison, Commander of 1 Infantry Brigade, and Director General of Administration and Finance during the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) campaign.
“The late General Officer played an important role as Brigadier General, demonstrating loyalty and unflinching patriotism towards our beloved country, Zimbabwe,” the President said.
Mnangagwa urged the nation—particularly the defence forces—to draw inspiration from the sacrifices and professionalism of national heroes like Mzheri.
“In honour of our national heroes and heroines, the security sector and Defence Forces in particular are called upon to draw inspiration from yester-year cadres, commanders, and officers as we advance our national interest and protect our independence and sovereignty,” he said.
Reaffirming his government’s commitment to national unity and patriotism, the President reiterated his signature philosophy: “Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo — The country is built, governed and defended by its owners.”
He described Mzheri as a disciplined officer whose conduct embodied honesty, integrity, humility, and leadership.
“Your professional conduct must inspire many to carry our beloved motherland forward,” Mnangagwa said in his final tribute. “We, therefore, befittingly inter you at this sacred shrine together with other luminaries, heroes and heroines of Zimbabwe, in recognition and honour of your distinguished role in our struggle.”
Brigadier General (Rtd) Victor Mpandasekwa Mzheri, whose Chimurenga name was Comrade Khetani Khanye, was born on March 7, 1950, in Mberengwa District.
He is survived by his family, friends, and comrades who today joined the nation in bidding farewell to what President Mnangagwa called a “Hero of Heroes.”
