Herald Reporter
Brigadier-General Getrude Mutasa (Retired) who is also the wife of Presidential Affairs Minister Cde Didymus Mutasa, has retired from the Zimbabwe National Army.Speaking at a dinner to bid her farewell at Zimbabwe National Army Headquarters last Friday, Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Constantine Chiwenga said Brig-Gen Mutasa (Rtd) was a great luminary who contributed much to the cause of the liberation struggle and the advancement of the Zimbabwe National Army.
He said Brig-Gen Mutasa (Rtd)’s work would always be cherished.
“As the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, we shall forever remain indebted to this great show of leadership qualities exhibited during her tenure of office,” said Gen Chiwenga.
“It is through her efforts as deputy director army medical corps that she was actively engaged in the establishment of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Funeral Parlour under the chairmanship of Brigadier-General Misheck Tanyanyiwa in 1997.
“We also take cognisance of the important role she played in the development and facilitation of a trial run of the health training manual for peacekeepers at the Kofi Annan Peacekeeping Centre in Accra, Ghana, in 2008, thereby leaving an indelible mark on women involvement in the United Nations Peacekeeping training activities.”
Gen Chiwenga said Brig-Gen Mutasa (Rtd) scored achievements in the health services during her term.
“It is with no doubt that the achievements and experiences of the General we are bidding farewell today will forever be cherished by the ZDF,” he said.
“Given such a solid Curriculum Vitae and the professional qualities she displayed during her tour of duty, she joins the few forerunners who left distinct leadership attributes that we all cherish to this day.”
Gen Chiwenga also paid tribute to Cde Mutasa whom he described as a pillar of strength to Brig-Gen Mutasa (Rtd).
“As a spouse, he, without doubt, was a pillar upon which she rested for support during trying times,” he said.
“As the old adage goes, behind every successful man, there is a woman.”
Gen Chiwenga said Brig Gen Mutasa (Rtd) nurtured and inspired several officers in the Defence Forces during her tour of duty.
He said Brig Gen Mutasa (Rtd) joined the liberation struggle in 1977, becoming the medical officer for Maputo and Maputo peri-urban where she was responsible for receiving, screening, treating and referring injured fighters from the war front, especially in the Gaza province.