Retired army general Vitalis Zvinavashe has died.
Government sources said that Zvinavashe died on Monday at Manyame Military Hospital.
Walter Mzembi, the MP for Masvingo South (Zanu PF) confirmed the death.
As Lieutenant General, he became the first commander of the unified Zimbabwe Defence Forces, with the commanders of both the Army and the Air force falling under his command. Following his retirement in December 2003, General Constantine Chiwenga succeeded him to the post.
In 2002, Zvinavashe led Zimbabwe’s military chiefs to declare that they would only back leaders who fought in the country’s wars of liberation, dealing a fresh blow to the opposition presidential candidate, Morgan Tsvangirai.
“Any change designed to reverse the gains of this revolution will not be supported,” said Zinavashe.
Zvinavashe soon broke ranks with hardliners in the ZANU PF party in 2008, urging them to accept defeat in the elections while addressing fellow Zanu PF candidates at a counting centre in the province.
“There is no need to fight over these results. We must accept the reality that we have lost these elections to the MDC. What is important is to live together in peace, both losers and winners. We do not want violence in this area. We are relatives,” he said.
Zvinavashe is on record as having warned the party before the March 29 poll that Mugabe would cost them victory if he remained at the helm. He repeated his remarks, putting the blame for Zanu PF’s defeat on Mugabe’s doorstep.
‘Most of us lost these elections not because we are not popular in our constituencies. We lost these harmonised elections because of one man. People rejected us because we were campaigning for Mugabe. People in Masvingo have rejected him and we became collateral damage. There is no reason to fight with the MDC over this election. The real problem is that man not us.’
Zvinavashe lost to an MDC candidate in the constituency, Empire Makamure, and a recount ordered by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission under instructions from Zanu PF failed to overturn the result.
It is sad that Zimbabwe has once again lost a high profile figure, and a son of the soil that fought in the liberation of the country. In shona they say wafa wanaka, though i am not sure whether such a thing would be said of Hitler, Mussolin. However, to the Zvinavashe family, we say, we cry with you over the death of this cadre. We shall always respect and salute the good works done by this man. May his Soul Rest in Peace.
To other hardliners, we say, kufa ndekwemunhu wese. Hapana asingafi and it is good to do good during the days of our existence. Lets strive to build a New Zimbabwe together, in love and unity, respect and reverence. We are one/.
may his soul rest in peace. Gava, hamba kuhle
ITS TOUGH TO COMMENT
These are guys that caused a lot of pain to Zimbos, well he is dead, but we remain crying that were it not for him, Zimbabwe wouldnt have been where it is now. Its just like the death of Perence Shiri, we can be expected to speak well about him, but can we? Its tough but we dont have good memories about these guys. Its true that he was very horrible, he was one of the killers of innocent people of Zimbabwe. I dont have much to say.
people die some day, i dont think he ever thought of that in his hey days. may his soul burn in hell and may God forgive his children because it was not their call to have a father like him. its all because of him and the rest of the ZANU criminals why that country is like that. let him join the rest of the criminals in Zanu Criminals Acre.
Who is next, i dont care, they wont get punishment here on earth but hell is waiting.
the blood of innocent kids and their is in their, they will never wash them