Prosper Dembedza Herald Reporter
A FUNERAL parade for Brigadier-General Stephen Chinhete Bonaface Mao Hurungudo, was held at One Commando Regiment in Harare yesterday. Brig-Gen Chinhete passed on July 6 at Westend Hospital. He was 65.
Speaking at the funeral parade, Zimbabwe National Army Commander Lt Gen Phillip Valerio Sibanda, said Brig-Gen Hurungudo would be missed both in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and the nation at large.
“Brigadier General Hurungudo was a rare kind of an officer who had the enviable gift to mix freely at all levels both in his work and social life.
“He will be sadly missed both in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and the nation at large,” he said.
Lt Gen Sibanda said the Zimbabwe Defence Forces had lost a trusted and hard-working colleague.
“On behalf of the Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces General Dr Constantine Guvheya Chiwenga, air officers, senior officers, men and women of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces in general and my own behalf, I would like to pay my deep condolences to the bereaved families and relatives of Brigadier General Hurungudo.
“His untimely death is very saddening and painful, not only to you but to all peace loving Zimbabweans. Our thoughts are with you all during this period of mourning,” said Lt-Gen Sibanda.
Brig-Gen Hurungudo got involved in politics in 1973 when he crossed the border into Zambia where he joined the liberation struggle as a Zanla cadre.
This was after he had become increasingly conscious of the colonial injustices, which were being meted out on the majority of black people of Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe).
Brig-Gen Hurungudo was trained together with the likes of Police Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri, Air Marshal Henry Muchena (retired), Major General Gibson Mashingaidze (retired), Major General Etherton Shungu (retired) among others.
Brig-Gen Hurungudo rose through the ranks to become a member of the Zanla General Staff.
He held various appointments key among them being Director of Politics deputising General Constantine Guvheya Chiwenga who was a member of the high command.
After independence Brig-Gen Hurungudo was attested into the Zimbabwe National Army on April 16 1981 as a Colonel and was posted to Bulawayo District as Deputy Commander during the period August 7 to November 17 the same year.
He was born on May 9 1950 in Mazowe District under Chief Negomo and in headman Mpandawana’s area.
He is survived by his wife Janet Hurungudo, Nee Maziba Gome and 10 children (eight daughters and two sons).