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Fidelis Munyoro Chief Court Reporter

THE Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) on Sunday held a funeral parade for four soldiers who died last week when two vehicles were involved in a head-on collision at the 180km peg along the Harare-Bulawayo Road.

Some passengers in both vehicles were injured and are admitted to Gweru and Kwekwe General hospitals, while investigations into the accident are underway.

Commander ZDF Philip Valerio Sibanda led in paying tribute to Brigadier General Shadreck Vezha, Major Mqondisi Gumbo, Major Thabani Ncube and Sergeant Learnmore Chakabaiwa, at Ngezi Barracks.

The four died in the collision about 2km from Battlefields.

Brig Gen Vezha, who was travelling from Kwekwe to the headquarters of 5 Brigade together with Lieutenant Colonel Moyo Singazi and a civilian, Tawanda Siatare, was involved in head-on collision with the vehicle driven by Major Gumbo who was coming from Magunje en route to Bulawayo.

Maj Gumbo was travelling with Maj Ncube, Sgt Chakabaiwa, Sgt Thomas Chegogo, Col Sola Nompilo and Cpl Sibonisiwe Ncube.

Gen Sibanda, in his tribute, described Brig Gen Vezha as a dedicated cadre who served the army diligently and purposefully.

“Brigadier General Vezha has left a legacy of excellence in the force. His exceptional loyalty and patriotism towards his beloved country reminds us how lucky we are as a nation to have a generation of officers and commanders of the calibre of the departed Brigadier General.

“His willpower to fight for the liberation of the country and defend its ideals after independence remained unmatched.”

He added that the late general also made an indelible mark in the diplomatic circles when he led international officers  in United Nations observer missions in Angola and Syria.

“Beyond his professional prowess, Brig Gen Vezha was known for his unquestionable work ethic and innate ability to connect with people, to understand their needs, and to extend a helping hand.

“He believed in teamwork, in the power of collaboration, and in the strength of unity. Above all, he remained focused and steadfast in the face of neo-colonial machinations by our detractors. We must, therefore, uphold the principles and values that the late Brigadier General has left us.”

To the Chakabaiwa, Ncube, Gumbo and Vezha bereaved families, Gen Sibanda said the loss of the four was a very sad and painful one, not only to them, but to members of ZDF and the nation at large.

“Their untimely death has robbed not only you, but also the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and the nation at large of a hard working general officer, two field officers and an equally competent senior non-commissioned officer,” he said.

“May we be comforted by the Holy Spirit as we cherish the selfless service they rendered to their families and the nation. Their respective contributions to their motherland will forever be etched in our hearts and unfading memory.”

Brig Gen Vezha was born on August 10 1961 in Chivi, Masvingo Province. He did primary education at Chihaya, Runesu and Chitanga primary schools from 1968 to 1975 and attended secondary education at Lundi High School from 1976 to 1979.

After writing O-Level examinations, he joined the liberation struggle as a ZANLA combatant and was trained in the front. He went to North Korea in 1980 for further military training at Kim Chong Ju Military Academy and later Kim Il Sung Military University until 1982 where he trained with the late Brigadier General J Zingoni, Brigadier General E Shamu and many others.

On completion of military training in North Korea, he returned home and was attested to the ZNA on August 1, 1982 and rose through the ranks from Lieutenant in 1984 to Brigadier General in 2018, the rank he held until his death. He is survived by five children.

Born on December 26 1982 into a family of six, Major Mqondisi Gumbo did primary education at Matshudula Primary School and secondary education at Hlangabeza High School, before proceeding to A Levels at Embakwe High School. He was attested into  the ZNA on July 1, 2002 as an officer cadet at Zimbabwe Military Academy.

After completion of the officer cadet training, he was posted to 3 Field Artillery Regiment in 2003.

During his service in the ZNA, Maj Gumbo worked with the Field Artillery Training School, Army Headquarters, 3 Field Artillery Regiment, Zimbabwe School of Infantry, All Arms Battle School and 13 Infantry Battalion, the unit he was serving until his untimely death.

Through hard work and dedication to duty Maj Gumbo rose through the ranks from Second Lieutenant in 2003 to Major in 2015, the rank he held at the time of his death.

Maj Gumbo is survived by his wife and three children.

Major Ncube was born on November 6 1978 in Hwange, in a family of three.

He did primary education at Sir Humphrey Gibbs Primary School in Hwange and later enrolled at Regina Mundi Secondary School for O Level and Fatima High School in Bulawayo for A Level.

Maj Ncube was attested into the ZNA as an officer cadet on October 1, 1999 at the Zimbabwe Military Academy and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in December 2000.

He was subsequently posted to 31 Combat Group as a platoon commander. During his service, Maj Ncube held several appointments that included Brigade Major, a post he held from 2023 until his death.

The late Maj Ncube is survived by his wife Mrs Prissence Tshuma and two children.

Sergeant Chakabaiwa was born on March 10 1984 in Gokwe under Chief Chireya, headman Nembudziya.

He did secondary education at Svibe and Nyamuroro Secondary schools.

Sgt Chakabaiwa was attested into the ZNA on January 1 2007 and underwent basic recruit training at Recruit Training Depot the same year.

On completion of training, Sgt Chakabaiwa was posted to 12 Infantry Battalion as a rifleman on July 6 2007 and was attached at Army Headquarters AS Branch at the time of his death.

Sgt Chakabaiwa is survived by his wife and four children.