A funeral service for liberation war hero and former police Senior Assistant Commissioner Johanne Ronald Muderedzwa who died on Tuesday was held in Harare yesterday ahead of burial at his farm in Rusape today.
Cde Muderedzwa died at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals after a long illness.
Speaking at the funeral service at Mkushi Training Academy Chapel, Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga described the death of Cde Muderedzwa as a tragic blow, not only to the Muderedzwa family, but also to the entire Zimbabwe Republic Police.
“It is with a heavy heart that we are gathered here today to mourn and bid farewell to a gallant son, retired Senior Assistant Commissioner Johanne Ronald Muderedzwa who served in the Zimbabwe Republic Police for 29 years from March 2, 1984 until his retirement on June 28, 2013.
“Comrades and friends, the unparalleled level of patriotism and national contribution of the late retired Senior Officer motivated him to join the liberation struggle together with fellow freedom fighters into Mozambique via Espungabera in 1976.
“Towards that end, his accordance of a liberation war hero status is befitting. His contribution speaks volumes and bears testimony of a consistent, persistent and selfless cadreship par excellence,” he said.
Retired Snr Asst Comm Muderedzwa’s immense contribution to the socio-economic development of the nation remained indelibly inscripted in the history of the nation.
“We are deeply saddened by the untimely passing on of this Commander whose commitment and dedication to duty throughout his policing career, was beyond reproach.
“Indeed, we are mourning a great man whose policing history and prowess influenced policing in more ways than one. He immensely contributed towards its transformation into a professional law enforcement agency,” Comm Gen Matanga said.
He said Cde Muderedzwa was one of the pioneers and integral team member of the organisation’s change programme, dubbed the Zimbabwe Republic Police Organisational Development Programme (ZIMPOD).
Comm Gen Matanga said in discharging this function, one of their most notable achievements was the crafting of police literature which has had an enduring impact on the strategic and operational efficacy of the organisation.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we are talking of a repository of vast policing knowledge which he imparted freely to officers and members. It is this attribute that informed the decision of his posting to Inspectorate Unit, a section mandated with the role of assessing performance of police establishments. On that note, I am sure you would appreciate the enormity of the loss to us as the police family.
“This is particularly so, as it is aptly said in the African space that, the death of a wise man is akin to the burning of a library.
“Ronald’s death has indeed left us poorer. Over and above, he was a trainer par excellence during his stint as head of one of our Professional Updating Centres. All these exploits, culminated in his elevation to higher ranks in the Zimbabwe Republic Police,” he said.
He said during his illustrious career, Cde Muderedzwa also sat at the helm of Manicaland, Matabeleland South and Mashonaland East Provinces as the Officer Commanding.
“Surely, we have been robbed of a brother and compatriot. Indeed, human life, like the wafting wind is fleeting and shallow. The memories will indeed remain deeply entrenched in us as a police family. On behalf of the Zimbabwe Republic Police and indeed, on my own behalf, allow me to convey our deepest sympathy and condolences to Amai Muderedzwa and children, the entire Muderedzwa family, relatives and friends on the untimely death of this gallant retired senior police officer,” Comm Gen Matanga said.
