Moleen Machingura Herald Reporter
Air Force of Zimbabwe Wing Commander Simba Mhuru, who died on May 24, 2014, has been declared a liberation war hero.
Wing Comm Mhuru (53) died at CitiMed Hospital after a short illness and was buried at the Glen Forest Memorial Park last Tuesday.In a statement, Air Marshal Perrance Shiri said, “It was indeed shocking and quite disheartening to learn that such a hardworking, loyal and experienced officer could be suddenly taken away from our midst.”
The AFZ chief described Wing Comm Mhuru as an upright officer, administrator, sportsman and excellent aircraft technician who was dedicated to duty.
“He was a hardworking, reliable and honest senior officer who took service before self,” he said.
Wing Comm Mhuru was born on November 11, 1961 in Kabwe, Zambia.
He attended Chitanda Primary School from 1970 to 1976 before going to Matero Boys High School in Lusaka from 1977 to 1981.
He was attested into the AFZ on June 1, 1984 as an aircraftman and he rose to Wing Commander in December 2011, a rank he held until his death.
Wing Comm Mhuru was reading for a degree in Political Science with the University of Zimbabwe that he was due to complete this month.
During his service, Wing Comm Mhuru held the following appointments: staff officer inspectorate, officer commanding aircraft servicing section, acting staff officer one engineering, and staff officer one engineering, among others.
In recognition of his exemplary service, he was awarded the Independence, Ten Years’ Service and Democratic Republic of Congo Campaign medals; as well as the Commander of the Zimbabwe Order of Merit.
Wing Comm Mhuru took part in the Mozambique campaign of the 1980s during disturbances in that country, by protecting the fuel pipeline that runs from Beira to Harare.
The late senior officer was not only a military man but a volleyball player who once featured in the national team alongside his brothers, Partson and Lucky Mhuru.
He is survived by his wife Tsitsi and three daughters.