‘Rutanhire, a dedicated, selfless cadre’ The late Cde Rutanhire
Cde Rutanhire

Cde Rutanhire

Tendai Mugabe Senior Reporter
National hero Cde George Rutanhire, who died on Saturday at Karanda Mission Hospital, has been described as a dedicated cadre, who selflessly fought for the liberation of Zimbabwe.

Minister of Welfare Services for War Veterans, Ex-Detainees and Restrictees and War Collaborators Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube yesterday said Cde Rutanhire’s legacy would forever be cherished by all Zimbabweans.

“I know him as a war veteran and I went with him to Politburo meetings,” he said. “I learnt a few stories about his operations during the liberation struggle that talks of a great fighter. I respect him a lot and since his appointment to the Chitepo Ideological College as its director the institution became very lively. The college becomes useful in educating our people about the country’s history.

“I never heard that he created any problems with anybody and he also played a pivotal role in reburying some of our heroes lying in various parts of the country. He is one man, who came up with that idea and we all admired it. Cde Rutanhire was a great fellow who deserved national hero status.”

Minister of State for Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs Advocate Martin Dinha yesterday urged people from his province to come out in large numbers to give Cde Rutanhire a huge send-off on Saturday.

“We have been provided 10 buses by Government and we are thankful about that,” he said. “I urge people from all sectors including farmers, business community and the entire Mashonaland Central community to come and give a befitting send-off to our iconic hero on Saturday.”

Cde Rutanhire’s body was last night taken to Doves Funeral Parlour in Bindura. Adv Dinha said: “Tomorrow (today) the body will be taken to Cde Rutanhire’s father’s Chesa Farm in the morning.

“It will be there for two hours before leaving for Tizora Farm, Centenary, Muzarabani. The body will lie in state at the farm for a night vigil.” Political leaders in Mashonaland Central and members of the public would join the Rutanhire family for the night vigil.

“On Friday, the body will go to Harare One Commando and at 4pm it will be taken to Cde Rutanhire’s Belvedere House at Number 165 Samora Machel Avenue for another night vigil. On Saturday morning the body will be taken to Stodart Hall for body viewing before burial at the National Heroes Acre,” said Adv Dinha. Cde Rutanhire was born Peter Clever Musanhu on April 15, 1949, at St Alberts Hospital.

He started revolutionary politics at St Alberts Mission in 1965. In 1966, he led a student strike, boycotting lessons protesting the attack of the seven revolutionary cadres in Chinhoyi.

He joined the liberation struggle in 1972 and received military training at Mgagao Training Camp in Tanzania. In 1973, he was recalled from the war front after he was shot in the leg.

At one point he represented Zanu in Sweden where he met Dr Sydney Sekeramayi, Cde Mayor Urimbo, Sally Mugabe and Zanu representative in Sweden Cde Cloudious Chokwenda.

In 1975, Cde Rutanhire was called back to Mgagao by General Josiah Magama Tongogara to join others and reorganise the war after the death of Cde Herbert Chitepo.

In June the same year to September, he participated in the drafting of the Mgagao Declaration together with Cdes Rex Nhongo, Constantino Chiwenga, Perrance Shiri, Mernad Muzariri and Paradzai Zimondi.

At independence in 1980, he was elected Member of Parliament for Mashonaland Central Province and in 1981, he was appointed Deputy Minister for Youth, Sport and Recreation.

In 1981, he was elected member of the Central Committee and in 1985, he was elected Government Chief Whip. He participated in the talks that led to the signing of the Unity Accord between Zanu-PF and Zapu in 1987.

In 2010, Cde Rutanhire was appointed Politburo member, a position he held until his death.

Cde Rutanhire is survived by his three wives Susan Rutanhire, Safire Kutyauripo and Sofia Ishemunyoro and eight children.

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