Top cop Mubaiwa laid to rest

GWERU – The late Officer Commanding Harare Province, Senior Assistant Commissioner Shadreck Mubaiwa, who died on Boxing Day near State House in Harare when his Ford Ranger was hit by a falling tree, was buried on Tuesday.

Mubaiwa (54) was traveling with his wife and a granddaughter when his car was hit by the falling tree near President Robert Mugabe’s official residence on Saturday afternoon.

He has since been declared a liberation war hero and was buried at the Midlands Provincial Heroes Acre in Gweru. Scores of people, among them senior police officers, Government officials and politicians, thronged the provincial heroes’ acre to pay their last respects.

Speakers described his death as a great loss to Government, police and the nation at large.

The Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs, Jason Machaya, said Snr Asst Comm Mubaiwa was a selfless and dedicated cadre who served the Government diligently dating back to the time of the liberation struggle.

He said Snr Asst Comm Mubaiwa was a war collaborator who operated in Shurugwi and made a significant contribution towards the attainment of independence in 1980.

“The late Snr Asst Comm Mubaiwa earned his stripes and distinguished himself as a humble and committed senior officer and commander.

“I must say his record of focused commitment, dedication to work and his record of leadership, ability and capability speak for themselves,” said Machaya in a speech read on his behalf by Gweru District Administrator Mr Shepherd Marwei.

Zanu-PF Midlands provincial chairman Kizito Chivamba, who is also Chiwundura constituency legislator, described Snr Asst Comm Mubaiwa as a hero who was devoted to the nation.

Former Midlands provincial governor Cephas Msipa said Snr Asst Comm Mubaiwa was supposed to be a pastor because of his calm inner man and character.

“I think the late Mubaiwa chose the wrong profession. He was supposed to be a pastor, not a policeman. He always made peace with everybody wherever he was,” he said.

Mubaiwa was moved to Harare in a police top brass reshuffle that followed the internal mayhem that rocked the ruling Zanu PF party at the tail end of last year. Mubaiwa was previously officer commanding the Midlands Province.

This came amid reports that the move was meant to deal with those linked to a faction of the party reportedly headed by then Vice President Joice Mujuru.

Mujuru was also to be shown the door along with a host of other top party officials linked to an alleged “sinister plot” to oust Mugabe by foul means.