President Mnangagwa Urges Defence Forces to Maintain Discipline and Loyalty
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has called on the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) to uphold professionalism, loyalty, and discipline as the nation bid farewell to two esteemed military figures.
Addressing mourners at the burial of Brigadier General Tapiwa Rungani and veteran intelligence officer Walter Basopo at the National Heroes Acre in Harare on Wednesday, April 30, Mnangagwa emphasized that dedication within the security forces plays a vital role in safeguarding Zimbabwe’s future.
Mnangagwa described Brigadier General Rungani as a man whose career was defined by integrity, humility, and visionary leadership.
He urged the current generation of ZDF officers to embrace these values, emphasizing the vital role of dedicated military personnel in Zimbabwe’s progress.
He noted that figures like Rungani and Basopo played a crucial role in fortifying Zimbabwe’s defence institutions.
Basopo, a veteran of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle and former administrator with the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO), passed away in Pretoria, South Africa, after a long illness.
Following Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980, Basopo began his career in the President’s Department as a trainee intelligence officer.
He later rose to the position of Director for Counterintelligence in 2022.
Rungani, who died on April 29 at Mbuya Dorcas Hospital in Waterfalls, Harare, had a distinguished career in the Zimbabwe National Army, serving as Director of the Engineering and Military Equipment Directorate.
His contributions to the army were widely acknowledged, with Mnangagwa praising his strategic leadership.
Mnangagwa stressed, as reported by NewsDay, that discipline and loyalty within the ZDF are vital to Zimbabwe’s national development, urging officers to safeguard the country’s sovereignty through unwavering commitment.
