By Senior Political Reporter
Zimbabweans yesterday bade farewell to national hero, the late Brigadier General Collin Moyo, with Acting President Kembo Mohadi describing him as a rare breed of cadre who served his country with distinction.
The late Brigadier General Moyo whose Chimurenga name was Rodwell Nyika succumbed to pneumonia last Friday.
While giving a detailed eulogy of Cde Moyo’s illustrious political career, the acting President Mohadi described the late Cde Moyo as a fountain of knowledge.
“Fellow Compatriots, death has robbed us of an outstanding soldier, a leader, an inspiring instructor who was instrumental in molding some of the war veterans and soldiers who are still active in Zimbabwe today. He was a fountain of knowledge grounded in sound political philosophy. Many of us remain with fond memories of his instructive wisdom,” said Cde Mohadi.
He said the Moyo family should find comfort knowing that the entire nation shares with them their loss and grief.
The Acting President said Cde Moyo’s political consciousness was nurtured at a very early age which made him to join the liberation struggle in 1972.
After his training, Cde Moyo briefly stayed at Freedom Camp before being deployed as Regional Commander in Feira Luwangwa. He was a frontline commander in an area that covered Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland West Provinces.
Cde Mohadi said in 1976, Cde Moyo was selected to lead a group of 200 comrades to undertake specialized training in the Soviet Union.
Cde Mohadi said the late Cde Moyo excelled in all assignments given to him and he always led from the front and was exemplary. The late Cde Moyo has also been credited for inspiring many young recruits to a life of committed patriotism.
The Acting President said among many other achievements, the late Cde Moyo will also be remembered for the ZIPA operations at Mana Pools Camp and Nkume Base attack, inclusive also of the repulsion of enemy aircraft at Refunsa.
Cde Mohadi urged the nation to be patriotic and work hard just as what the late Cde Moyo did. Cde Mohadi said the economic war the country is currently facing needs no guns but people with a focused, transformative, diligent and productive mind.
He further urged the nation to be armed with a positive mindset in order to turn around the country’s economy.
The Acting President further said the nation should never lose focus from creating a prosperous Zimbabwe as guided by the national collective Vision 2030.
Although the late Moyo did not succumb to Covid-19, traditional formalities such as going to the Stodart Hall in Mbare for body viewing were not being followed in line with Covid-19 regulations.
Cde Mohadi officiated at the National Heroes Acre in place of President Emmerson Mnangagwa who is currently on his annual leave.
Acting President Mohadi was accompanied by Vice President Costantino Chiwenga, Minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Kazembe-Kazembe, service chiefs and senior Government officials.
