by Shadreck Gurenje

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has urged officers in the defence and security to remain patriotic and consistence in their line of duty taking a leaf from the late National Hero Cde Tobias Chaunoita.

Addressing Mourners at National Heroes Acre, ZANU PF First Secretary and President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa urged Intelligence, Defence and Security officers to draw from the good traits of persistence, consistence, patriotism and selflessness which were exhibited by the late National Hero, Cde Chaunoita.

“I particularly exhort officers in the rank and file of our Intelligence, Defence and Security Sector to draw from the good traits of persistence, consistence, patriotism and selflessness which were exhibited by our late National Hero, Cde Chaunoita ‘Tobias Zvenyika’. He never wavered in the course of his service to our nation. Anga ari munhu akavimbika, aimira pachokwadi nguva dzose, asina mavato. The life and professional history of our late National Hero should, therefore, serve as a source of inspiration;”said President Mnangagwa.

President Mnangagwa also reiterated the need to uphold the culture of peace and togetherness as the nation work towards the realisation of vision 2030.

The Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces also said rogue and retrogressive elements who are found undermining and sabotaging the national development agenda will be exposed and flashed out.

 “Let us stay on this trajectory working together in unity and common purpose. Rogue and retrogressive elements who are found undermining our broad and                people-centred policies should continue to be exposed as our people’s revolution keeps moving forward. Forward ever, backward never,”said President Mnangagwa.

The late National Hero, Cde Chaunoita was born on                  1 June, 1958, in Gutu District, Masvingo Province. Between 1967 and 1969, he attended Gudo Primary School, from Sub A to Standard One and transferred to Mataruse Primary School in 1970, where he completed his primary education.

Cde Chaunoita proceeded to attend Gutu Secondary School for Form One and Two. It was during the period 1973 to 1974, that he experienced the brutality and oppression of the Rhodesian white settlers, following the enactment and implementation of suppressive laws such as the Land Husbandry Act and the Tax Act, among others.