Herald Reporter
A funeral parade for Captain Eleck Matotoba who died on Thursday after a road accident was held yesterday at the Army Headquarters in Harare. He was 51. Cpt Matotoba died at Parirenyatwa Hospital from head injuries he sustained in the accident which occurred along the Harare-Mazowe Road.

His wife Pamela and children Erick, Getrude, Constance and Maxwell, senior army officers, relatives, friends and senior Government officials including Mashonaland Central Governor Advocate Martin Dinha and Media, Information and Publicity Minister Webster Shamu attended the parade.
Commander Harare District Colonel Nelson Munjaranji said he was deeply saddened by Cpt Matotoba’s death.

“He was a hero in the land reform programme and a gallant son of Zimbabwe. He was hard working and this saw him rising through the ranks,” Col Munjaranji said.

He said during the land reform programme Cpt Matotoba worked tirelessly in Mashonaland Central Province.
“Let me say to the bereaved family and relatives and those who tirelessly worked with him in the ZNA and in the land reform programme that the loss of this officer is a very sad and painful one not only to you, but to all members of the ZNA,” said Col Munjaranji.
“The gap he has left will be difficult to fill.”

Cpt Matotoba was born in Shurugwi and grew up in Karoi under Chief Mujinja. He did his primary school in Karoi before he went to Zambia to join the liberation struggle in 1977.

As a political refugee and juvenile, he could not be trained militarily and continued with education at Naboye School in Zambia up to 1979.
In 1980, he returned home and did his secondary education. On completion, he joined the Zimbabwe National Army in 1986 and worked under the Bulawayo District until 1987.

From 1987 to 1993 he worked at Army Pay before moving to Records Office and Army Headquarters until 1994.
He was then moved to Army Projects where he worked until his death.

During his service with the ZNA he was promoted from the rank of Private from 1986 to 1988, Lance Corporal (1988 to 1989), Corporal (1989 to 1990), Sergeant (1990 to 1999), Staff Sergeant (2000 to 2001), Lieutenant (2001 to 2005) and Captain 2005.

Cpt Matotoba received several awards including the Independence Medal, 10 Years Service Medal, Lond and Exemplary Medal and DRC Campaign Medal.
His body will be taken to One Commando where it will lie in state before being taken to his Ndire Farm near Concession.
He will be buried tomorrow at 10am.