Maravi

(HERALD) CIO boss dies

CIO boss dies
Monday, 11 April 2011 23:38
By Takunda Maodza

THE Deputy Director General in the President's Office, Cde Menard Livingstone Muzariri has died. He was 56. Cde Muzariri died at St Annes Hospital in Harare early yesterday morning after a short illness.

Several Government officials, including Vice President Mujuru paid their condolences to the Muzariri family yesterday. VP Mujuru said the liberation war bound them together, creating a relationship that was stronger than "blood relationships".

"We worked together very well with Cde Muzariri during the war. Someone who saved you became very close to you. People like Cde Muzariri continued working for economic empowerment of the people of Zimbabwe after the liberation struggle," said VP Mujuru.

Service chiefs and senior Government officials said Cde Muzariri was a dedicated cadre who steadfastly pursued the values and principles of the struggle until his death.

Cde Muzariri played a pivotal role during Zimbabwe's liberation struggle.
He left the country in 1973 when he was a Form Two pupil at Mavhuradonha Secondary School and crossed into Mozambique to join the liberation war. He received his initial military training at Mgagao Camp in Tanzania before proceeding to do an advanced instructor's course at the same camp.

"Due to his unwavering loyalty and diligence, Cde Muzariri was tasked to work as a General Staff Liaison Officer from November 1975 to February 1977.

"This was a difficult and challenging period that called for fortitude and single mindedness," the President's Office said in a statement yesterday.

It said Cde Muzariri was at the forefront during the war in ensuring that Zimbabwe gained its independence from the British.

"He was later posted to Zambia in 1978 where he worked at the party's office as an administrator, a position that called for sobriety and clarity of mind as the party's administrative machinery was essential in assisting the war effort," the statement said.

Cde Muzariri gained valuable knowledge on the operations of the party during that period. He was later transferred to Botswana in 1978 where he worked as a political commissar at the party office.

In December 1979, Cde Muzariri was re-deployed to Mozambique where he was again at the nerve centre of the party's administrative machinery.

"In 1980, the people of Zimbabwe became masters and champions of their destiny when the country attained independence. Cde Muzariri and other revolutionary stalwarts remained resolute in defence of our hard won independence and sovereignty, pleading each day as the sun rises and sets that Zimbabwe will never be a colony again," the President's Office said.

In 1980, Cde Muzariri who had risen to be a member of the Zanla general staff, was re-deployed and worked in the Prime Minister's Office as an intelligence officer.
He trained at prestigious intelligence institutions in Africa and abroad.

Cde Muzariri obtained internationally recognised intelligence qualifications and this saw him being promoted to the post of Head of Division in 1984.

"He was later promoted on account of his professional acumen and good demeanour to the post of Director Internal in April 1997," the President's Office said.

In 2003, Cde Muzariri was appointed Deputy Director General, a rank he held until the time of his death.

Cde Muzariri is survived by his wife Esther Chiremba and five children.

Mourners are gathered at Number 27 Ross Road, Borrowdale, in Harare.

Burial arrangements would be announced in due course.

Labels: CIO, JOICE MUJURU

posted by MrK @ 4:53 AM