President Emmerson Mnangagwa has showered praises on late Retired Major General Sikhulile Simpson Nyathi who died Sunday at the Josiah Magama Tongogara Barracks Referral Hospital aged 61.
The Gwanda born ex-serviceman joined the liberation struggle under the Zimbabwe African People’s Revolutionary Army (ZPRA) at the age of 17 after crossing the border into Zambia via Botswana on 27 January 1977.
He received his military training at Chakwenga Guerrilla Training Camp One in Zambia that same year and later proceeded to the then Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) for further military training in January 1978.
In a statement Wednesday, Mnangagwa said Nyathi’s death weighed heavily on the nation as it came hard on the heels of that of Retired Major General Godrey Chanakira who was laid to rest at the national shrine this past week.
Said Mnangagwa, “The late General was a committed revolutionary cadre who joined the liberation struggle in his late teens. He sacrificed both life and limb for the sake of our freedom and eventual National Independence.
“He survived the horrendous bombings of Freedom Camp and Mulungushi Camp, both on the outskirts of Lusaka in Zambia, by the racist Rhodesian soldiers.”
Mnangagwa said the late Nyathi “carries scars from the war to his grave”.
He added, “After our independence, Major General Nyathi carved an illustrious military career in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces where he rose through the ranks until he attained the rank of Major General on retirement.
“Throughout his years in service, the late General was exemplary, steadfast and loyal to his country, a fact attested by the numerous medals he deservingly got.”
