Top army general dies

DECORATED military commander, Brigadier-General Collin Moyo (Retired), has died.

He was 66.

Brig-Gen Moyo whose Chimurenga name was Rodwell Nyika died yesterday in the morning at Hermatology Centre, Harare after a short illness.

In a statement last night, the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) confirmed the passing on of Brig-Gen Moyo, who was born on July 23, 1954 in Mberengwa, Midlands Province, under Chief Mapiravana.

Brig-Gen Moyo retired from the army in 1997 and at the time of his death he was a director in the Ministry of Defence and Welfare of War Veterans responsible for Investigations, Vetting and Inspectorate.

Brig-Gen Moyo, a stalwart of the liberation war, joined the armed struggle in July 1972.

He was an accomplished instructor, and worked together with other instructors like Vice President Constantino Chiwenga.

He trained the likes of Commander Defence Forces General Philip Valerio Sibanda, Major General Diye, Major General N. Dube, Lieutenant General S.B Moyo (Rtd), Major General Chiramba among others.

ZDF described him as a true revolutionary and comrade who sacrificed his youth to fight for the country’s freedom.

“He committed his whole life to serving Zimbabwe and fought to defend her interests. He made valuable contributions to regional peace and security.

“Above all, he remained focused and steadfast in the face of neo-colonial machinations by Britain and her allies.”

In July 1972, the Late General joined the Liberation Struggle in Zambia and went through Botswana. From Botswana they were airlifted to Lusaka, Zambia, where they were met by ZIPRA leaders such as Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo, Cde Alfred Nikita Mangena, Cde Nxele, Cde Elliot Maseko and Cde Ambrose Mutinhiri, who facilitated their movement to Morogoro, Tanzania for military training. In early 1973, Brig-Gen Moyo started training with 83 others in their group.

The Commander of the training camp was Cde Sam Mfakazi and the instructors were Cdes Javan Maseko, Gedi Dube, Dubu Nleya, Stanley Gagisa, Sigoge and Ghanaian instructors Major Dhako and Captain Burden. They went through a six-month semi-commando course covering all aspects of guerrilla warfare. During the course, he was chosen to attend the ZIPRA Conference of Militants in Zambia Mwembeshi Camp. At the end of the training after successfully passing the course, the Ghanaian instructors then chose him to remain at the training camp as one of the instructors.

Brig-Gen Moyo was instrumental in the training of more than five thousand recruits at Morogoro training camp between 1973 and 1976.

When ZIPA was formed in 1975, he was heavily involved in some joint training between ZIPRA, ZANLA and ANC cadres and his contribution was invaluable.

At Independence, the late General was attested into the Zimbabwe National Army and was attached to Headquarters 4 Infantry Brigade as a green board officer together with Air Vice Marshal Henry Muchena, the late Air Chief Marshal Perrance Shiri, Brigadier Gen Abel Mazinyani, Lieutenant Colonel M Mpofu and Cde Deny Murimo. He was commissioned as a Lt-Col on 29 July 1982.

He rose over the years to the rank of Brigadier-General. Funeral arrangement are still to be finalised.