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Crime Reporter
Former Zimbabwe Republic Police Deputy Commissioner and liberation war hero Moses Griffiths Mpofu has died.

He was 66.

Cde Mpofu whose chimurenga name was Matswata Witness Mhlanga died last Friday at United Bulawayo Hospital after a long illness. In a statement yesterday, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the former deputy commissioner was an astute and disciplined officer.

“He excelled in his career and rose through the ranks to the rank of Deputy Commissioner in 1999, a rank which he held until his retirement in December 2003,” he said.

Cde Mpofu went to Nsezi Primary School in Tsholotsho before completing his secondary education at Thegwani High School in 1974. A veteran of the liberation struggle, Cde Mpofu, crossed the border into Zambia under the ZIPRA banner in 1975 and received military training at Mwembeshi and later Mgagao and Morogoro in Tanzania.

After training he was deployed in Zambia under the ZAPU Intelligence Wing, National Security Order, a counter-intelligence agency against Rhodesian forces.

“The late Deputy Commissioner Mpofu underwent several police command related courses between 1978 and 1979 at Novocherkassk Advanced Police Academy under the United Soviet Social Republic (USSR),” Asst Comm Nyathi said.

He said after Independence, Cde Mpofu joined the police service in 1981 as a patrol officer and was posted to Mphoengs after training. He served at various police stations countrywide including Mayobodo, Fort Rixon, Esigodini, Gwanda, Bulawayo Central and Harare Province.

Mourners are gathered at number 130 Mahatshula, Bulawayo and burial arrangements will be announced in due course.