Nation Pays Homage to Fallen Heroes: Brigadier General (Rtd) Rungani and Director (Rtd) Basopo Laid to Rest

By Staff Reporter

National Heroes’ Acre – Director (Rtd) Walter Basopo and Brigadier General (Rtd) Victor Tapiwa Chase Rungani, two gallant sons of the soil were buried earlier today at the National Heroes Acre. President and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defense Forces His Excellency Cde Dr. E. Mnangagwa gave the two a befitting heros burial. The burial of the two was witnessed by thousands of mourners including H.E. Mnangagwa, First Lady Dr. A. Mnangagwa, ministers, military leaders, members of the diplomatic community, and veterans of the war, relatives and friends.

President Mnangagwa expressed the nations condolences on behalf of the people government and ruling ZANU PF party in an emotional speech to the families of the deceased Basopo and Rungani. He praised the two national heroes for their unwavering dedication patriotism and selfless service to Zimbabwe both during and after the liberation struggle.

“We are gathered here at the National Shrine to lay to rest two decorated sons of the soil who served our motherland, Zimbabwe, with honour and distinction,” President Mnangagwa stated. He described the late Cde Walter Basopo, whose Chimurenga names were “Cde Nyoka” and “Cde Gerry Dzasukwa,” as a distinguished security and intelligence guru. Cde Basopo joined the liberation struggle in 1976 and rose through the ranks in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and later in the Ministry of the President’s Department, eventually becoming Director Counter Intelligence. He passed away in Harare on April 22, 2025, after serving a cumulative 45 years in the President’s Department.

President Mnangagwa also highlighted Cde Basopo’s relentless dedication to free, independent, and democratic Zimbabwe. He related the tale of Cde Basopo’s risky trip to Mozambique, where he underwent war training, and his deployment in ZANLA’s Security Department as well as his pivotal role in the political campaigns of the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) before the 1980 General Election. The President highlighted Cde Basopo’s hardworking nature, integrity, watchfulness, and uncompromising patriotism, listing that he was a source of mentorship and a role model to many intelligence officers.

Turning to the late Brigadier General (Rtd) Victor Tapiwa Chase Rungani, whose Chimurenga names were “Cde Victor Chikudo” and “Cde Jackson Moyo,” President Mnangagwa described him as a larger-than-life commander in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces. Born on June 29, 1949, in Chinobva Village, Bikita District, Masvingo Province, Cde Rungani joined the liberation struggle in 1976, receiving military training in Mozambique. He rose through the ranks in ZANLA, holding key positions such as Head of ZANLA Workshops and Provincial Director of Transport.

After independence, Brigadier General (Rtd) Rungani continued with a long and illustrious career in the military with the Zimbabwe National Army, undertaking several courses in the military and earning professional qualifications in engineering. He was also in commanding roles, including Commanding Officer Mechanised Regiment and Director Electrical Mechanical Engineering Services Corps. His creativity and innovative thinking in the motor vehicle line ensured mobility in the forces within military operations. He retired from the Zimbabwe Defence Forces after several decades of active service.

Brig. Gen. (Rtd) Rungani received multiple medals including the Liberation Medal Independence Medal and Zimbabwe Order of Merit Award for his unwavering commitment selfless service and excellence which President Mnangagwa praised. In his capacity as Chairman of the Masvingo Development Association Trust and Deputy Director of Finance and Projects in the Office of the President and Cabinet he also recognized Cde Rungani’s contributions.

President Mnangagwa emphasized the value of cooperation concentration and alertness in preserving Zimbabwe’s development and prosperity and urged current officers in the Presidents Department and Zimbabwe Defence Forces to adopt the qualities of the fallen heroes. In line with the national development philosophy “Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatirwa nevene vayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhu-le-kelwe, ngabanikazi balo”, he urged the youth to persevere and put in more effort in order to achieve sustainable economic prosperity.

Concluding, President Mnangagwa reaffirmed his governments determination to provide the necessary empowerment assistance for long-term projects that improve communities. As he said goodbye to the honored senior officers “Go well Sons of the Soil. Go Well Our Decorated Senior Security Sector Officers. Fambai zvakanaka Magamba edu. Rarai murugare. Hambani kuhle maqhawe ethu. Lalani ngokuthula. May your souls rest in eternal peace our Heroes.”

President Mnangagwa handed over flags and together with other dignitaries laid wreaths. The gun salutes was also delivered as part of the solemn and respectful burial ceremony. Director (Rtd) Walter Basopo and Brigadier General (Rtd) Victor Tapiwa Chase Rungani’s burial was a moving reminder of the sacrifices made by Zimbabwe’s heroes in the fight for independence and the ongoing commitment needed to create a prosperous country.