Go well, son of the soil
ON behalf of the Commissioner-General of the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS), the ZPCS family and indeed on my own behalf, may I express our heartfelt condolences to the Chiwakaya or Pedzisai and Garecha families on the death of a beloved son, father, uncle, brother, friend and comrade.
We are saddened by the untimely demise of Assistant Commissioner Renias Chiwakaya at the Chikurubi Prison Complex after a short illness.
He, unfortunately, breathed his last on September 12, 2023, and is survived by his wife Egneter and five children — Kevin, Keneth, Karith, Kaswell and Denzel.
May I hasten to express our gratitude to His Excellency, President Mnangagwa, for conferring the late Assistant Commissioner Chiwakaya with liberation war hero status.
It is painful to lose someone we have been closely working and associating with.
Renias was born on July 7, 1964 to Pedzisai Chiwakaya and Shambadzirai Kwangwari, under Chief Nyajena in Masvingo.
He attended Muchibwa Primary School.
In 1977, Renias could not complete his primary education; he left school at a very young age and joined the liberation struggle.
The brave young man, whose Chimurenga name was Peter Shungu, underwent guerrilla warfare training at Inyamhinga in Mozambique, under the instructorship of Cde Joseph Zulu, Cde Hamunyari, Cde Kasikai Chigariro and Cde Nhamo.
Such determination at that age showed his dedication and focus in liberating our motherland from the shackles of white settlers.
The courage and resoluteness he demonstrated by joining the liberation war should be emulated and also serve as a beacon of inspiration to the younger generation.
After the attainment of independence, he later proceeded with his secondary education at Tugwane and Nyabata high schools in Masvingo through support from Government for cadres who were disturbed by the war.
Driven by altruism and the passion to continue serving his beloved country, he was attested into the then Zimbabwe Prison Service on March 8, 1991, as a prison officer (Grade Two), now correctional officer (Grade One).
That marked the beginning of his working career in the ZPCS.
Given his loyalty, distinguished performance and commitment to duty, as well as patriotism, it was not difficult for him to be recognised and rewarded.
The promotions he received are a great testimony of dedication to duty and good character. They are as follows:
l In 2003, he was promoted to the rank of senior prison officer.
l Courtesy of his determination, hard work and enthusiasm, Renias was again promoted to the rank of principal prison officer in the same year.
l In 2006, he was further elevated to the rank of chief prison officer.
l Due to his continued hard work and dedication to duty, Renias was promoted to the rank of superintendent in 2014.
l In 2017, he became chief superintendent.
l Four years later, in 2021, he was promoted to the rank of assistant commissioner and director, crop production (agronomy), the rank and appointment he held until the time of his death.
In social circles, Renias was a humble and humorous man.
He was a selfless character, who believed in being there for others.
Through his comical character, we shall always remember him as one of the dedicated and self-controlled members of the service, who worked tirelessly to produce positive results.
He was an all-weather person, who had an astute and brave character.
At the workplace, he was well-known for his popular saying “Wandinzwa kurema” for he did not hesitate to approach and associate with anyone in order to make things happen.
It is undeniable that most of us who were privileged to work with him can testify that he was a loyal and hardworking member, who executed his duties with diligence.
He will be missed by many who knew him personally or by reputation.
To those who worked closely with him, we have lost a lovely, caring close friend and workmate.
As we celebrate his life, we still feel we were robbed of one of the best cadres, who was still to offer more to the service and country.
Indeed, Assistant Commissioner Chiwakaya fought a good fight and completed his race.
None of us knows when our demise will take place.
However, what is important is that we should spend our time here on earth wisely, sowing good works that will outlive us.
Let us take inspiration from the good legacy he has left, as we redouble our efforts to build a peaceful and caring society.
We say to the bereaved Chiwakaya family, all relatives, friends and workmates, the demise of assistant commissioner Chiwakaya is a big loss to us all.
However, let us mourn with hope and take solace in all the good works he did during the time he was with us.
Go well our hero!
May his soul rest in eternal peace!
Zororai murugare!
Lala ngokuthula!