Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Constantine Chiwenga lays a wreath on the casket bearing the body of Brigadier-General Misheck Tanyanyiwa, while the deceased’s widow is comforted by army personnel at One Commando Barracks in Harare yesterday
Innocent Ruwende Senior Reporter
Zimbabweans should not forget the sacrifices made by freedom fighters and should jealously defend the independence and sovereignty, Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander General Constantine Chiwenga has said.
Speaking at a funeral parade for national hero Brigadier General Misheck Tanyanyiwa at 1 Commando Barracks yesterday, Gen Chiwenga said Zimbabweans should uphold the principles and values left by freedom fighters.
Brig-Gen Tanyanyiwa, who died last week in Beijing, China, will be buried at the National Heroes Acre on Sunday.
“It should be very clear to us all that the late Brigadier-General was no ordinary man,” he said. “He participated immensely in defending Zimbabwe’s territorial integrity, sovereignty as well as jealously guarding her independence from would-be aggressors.
“He also played a pivotal role in protecting Zimbabwe’s socio-economic well-being as her vital national self-interests. He gave up his youth to fight for the freedom we enjoy today.
“The general committed his whole life to serving Zimbabwe and fought to defend her national self-interests. Above all, he remained focused and steadfast in the face of neo-colonial machinations by Britain and her allies.”
Gen Chiwenga said as the nation paid its last respects to Brig-Gen Tanyanyiwa, it should not forget the sacrifices heroes like him made for the freedom of the country.
He described Brig-Gen Tanyanyiwa, whose Chimurenga name was Nemi Tichapedzerana, as a veteran freedom fighter, loyal cadre, commando and an astute military diplomat who sacrificed himself for the good of the country.
Zanu-PF secretary for administration Cde Didymus Mutasa, who went to the Tanyanyiwas’ residence in Marondera on Thursday to advise his family of the national hero status together with Cdes Emmerson Mnangagwa and Sydney Sekeramayi, described Brig-Gen Tanyanyiwa as a selfless cadre who sacrificed himself for the liberation of the country.
“If it was not for cadres like him, we would still be under colonial rule, the fruits of the land we are enjoying would have remained a dream,” he said.
“We would not be having so many schools and universities in which there is no segregation and entry is free to everyone regardless of colour or race.”
Cde Mutasa said the country and Brig-Gen Tanyanyiwa’s family had been robbed of a gallant son. “We say sorry to his family and sorry to the nation,” he said.
Brig-Gen Tanyanyiwa joined the liberation war in Mozambique in 1975 and underwent military training at Mgagao Training Centre in Tanzania under the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (Zanla) in 1976.
At the height of the Lancaster House talks in 1979, other instructors and him moved to Samakweza in Mozambique to train Zanla Strategic Reserve Force where he was appointed political commissar. The reserve force was an insurance policy in case things did not go well during the ceasefire and post ceasefire.
At independence, he played a pivotal role in the integration of the Zimbabwe National Army, transforming the Rhodesia Light Infantry to 1 Commando Battalion. It was a battalion that he was to soon afterwards head as its first ex-combatant black commanding officer.
Brig-Gen Tanyanyiwa headed the Zimbabwe delegation to the DRC Joint Military Commission and was instrumental in the Lusaka ceasefire negotiations that brought peace to that country in 2003 after five years of war.
Later in his career, he was appointed the Zimbabwe Defence Attaché to China, a post he held until his untimely death.
Brig-Gen Tanyanyiwa was born on May 13, 1955 in Bindura where he attained his junior certificate at Bradley Secondary School in 1971.
He completed his Ordinary Level through correspondence after independence.
He was awarded several medals during his long service in the military, among them are the Liberation, Independence, Ten Years Service, Long and Exemplary Service, Mozambique Campaign and the Democratic Republic of Congo Campaign medals, as well as the Grand Officer of the Zimbabwe Order of Merit Award.
After the parade, the body was taken to his home in Marondera.