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Columbus Mabika-Herald Reporter

Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) senior officer Colonel Christopher Rufu Mayoyo, who died on Friday last week and was declared a liberation war hero was buried yesterday at Plot 2 Jatala Estates farm in Triangle.

Col Mayoyo, whose Chimurenga name was Charles Muchadura, was 63 at the time of his death.

In a statement this morning, ZNA director Public Relations, Colonel Alphios Makotore, said Zanu PF Secretary for Administration Cde Orbert Mpofu confirmed the status.

“In a letter conferring the Liberation War hero status to the late Colonel, Zanu PF Secretary for Administration said Colonel Mayoyo will be buried today(yesterday), 27 April 2021 at Plot 2 Jatala Estate Triangle, Chiredzi,” said Col Makotore.

Col Makotore said ZNA Chief of Staff Administration Staff, Major General Paul Chima, was the chief mourner.

Col Mayoyo was born on November 5, 1958 in Mayoyo Village, Zaka District in Masvingo.

He did his primary education at Mudavanhu School in the area before proceeding for secondary education at Mashoko Secondary School in Bikita from 1972 to 1975.

Col Mayoyo then went to Goromonzi High School for Advanced level where he was forced to drop out after only attending the first term due to financial challenges experienced by most indigenous families during the colonial era.

The senior officer joined the liberation struggle in 1976 and underwent military training at Takawira 2 in Mozambique before being moved to Nachingweya in Tanzania for further military training.

Col Mayoyo was deployed into the country with the Sasa Maliza Task Force at the height of the war and operated in the St Anne’s Goto area in Hwedza until ceasefire.

He was attested into the ZNA on 25 March 1980 as a private and rose through the ranks to colonel, the rank he held until the time of his death.

Col Mayoyo served with various units, among them 2.1 Infantry Battalion, Harare Base Workshops, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Directorate and Zimbabwe Staff College.

He also held several appointments which included Directing Staff at the Zimbabwe Staff College, Commanding Officer Harare Base Workshops and Director Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Directorate.

Col Mayoyo did several courses, among them the Potential Officers Course in 1989, Workshop Commanders Course in 1992 and Joint Command and Staff Course in Ghana in 1996.

He was awarded the Liberation War Medal, Independence Medal, Mozambique Campaign Medal, Democratic Republic of Congo Campaign Medal and the Commander Zimbabwe Order of Merit Award.

Col Mayoyo is survived by his wife Priscilla, four children and five grandchildren.