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Police Deputy Commissioner-General Levie Sibanda salutes as he views the body of Senior Assistant Commissioner Shadreck Mubaiwa at a church service at Morris Depot in Harare yesterday

Freeman Razemba Crime Reporter
Police Officer Commanding Harare Province Senior Assistant Commissioner Shadreck Mubaiwa, who died on Boxing Day along Borrowdale Road, will be buried today at his farm near Gweru. He was 54.

Snr Asst Comm Mubaiwa, who was also the chairperson of the provincial Joint Operation Command (JOC), died when a vehicle he was travelling in was hit on the roof by a falling tree along Borrowdale Road.

A church service was held in his honour yesterday at Morris Depot.

In a speech read on his behalf by Deputy Commissioner-General Levie Sibanda, Commissioner-General Dr Augustine Chihuri said the death of Snr Asst Comm Mubaiwa was unexpected.

“Indeed, today, a dark cloud of sadness, pain and anguish has covered the Zimbabwe Republic Police family. The organisation is struggling to come to terms with the magnitude of the overwhelming loss.

“Certainly, his love for the people in Harare was self-evident. I am sure we are all aware that on Christmas Eve, he joined other senior officers at Mbare Musika to wish travellers safe journey mercies as well as checking on roadworthiness of vehicles. Such was his love for people. He was a hands-on commander who enjoyed interacting with people at all levels,” he said.

Comm-Gen Chihuri said Snr Asst Comm Mubaiwa was a dedicated and outstanding officer and commander who had left them with an inspirational pattern for others to follow.

He said it was not a surprise that from the time he joined the force on November 27, 1980 he steadily rose through the ranks.

“As the chairperson of the ZRP Association, he recently saw the successful completion of state-of-the-art Police Cottages in Nyamapanda and Beitbridge. He was currently working on constructing the same facilities in Kazungula and Plumtree,” said Comm-Gen Chihuri.

Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Province, Cde Miriam Chikukwa said they were working very well with Snr Asst Comm Mubaiwa.

A family spokesperson and sister to Snr Asst Comm Mubaiwa thanked the Government and police for their support during this period.

“It is a sad day for all of us but we would like to thank you for working well with Snr Asst Comm Mubaiwa. In our family we used to be 11, that is five boys and six girls. Now we are only four, three girls and one boy,” she said.

The church service was attended by Mt Pleasant legislator Cde Jason Pasade, Buhera Central legislator Cde Ronald Muderedzwa, Senator Charles Tavengwa, chief magistrate Mr Mishrod Guvamombe, senior police officers and Government officials.

Snr Asst Comm Mubaiwa died at A.M.I Medical Centre in Harare, from injuries sustained during the accident which occurred opposite St George’s College around 5.30pm.

The senior officer was driving a Ford Ranger twin cab (Wildtrak) towards the city centre with two passengers, his wife and granddaughter.

The vehicle was hit on the roof by a falling cyprus tree and Snr Asst Comm Mubaiwa sustained internal head injuries. He was referred to Avenues Clinic and was transferred to A.M.I Centre where he later passed on.

He is survived by his wife Esther and three children — Pamela (33), Pride (32) and Hamphrey Kudzai (30).