The Sunday News
Sandisiwe Gumbo, Sunday News Reporter
A SOMBRE atmosphere engulfed the Bulawayo Provincial Heroes Acre in Nkulumane yesterday where Cdes Howard Moyo and Tinos Nhliziyo who both succumbed to liver-related complications were laid to rest.
The two provincial heroes were buried side by side. Cde Howard Moyo, who was a District Intelligence Officer (DIO) for Bulawayo, lost his battle to liver cancer last Monday at Gweru General Hospital after battling the condition for a long time. Family spokesperson for the Moyo family, Mr Douglas Mpofu said they had lost a peace-loving man.
“Howard was a very loving man, he worked with everyone in the family. He was a man of peace. His death is a great loss in the family, it will take some time for the wounds to heal,” he said.
The late Cde Moyo was born on 4 April 1957 in Lupane, Matabeleland North Province. He joined the armed struggle in March 1977 as a freedom fighter under the Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (Zipra).
He received his military training in Mulungushi in Zambia and later, at Lilayi Training Camp. He returned to Zimbabwe and operated in Makeni Communal area until ceasefire in 1979.
The quest to protect the independence of Zimbabwe saw him joining the President’s Office in 1988 as a security assistant under the internal branch. On completion of his initial training, he was deployed in Victoria Falls. Cde Moyo received a number of promotions while he was in service the last of which was the rank of Senior Chief Security Aide (DIO).
In a statement, Director General in the President’s Office Mr Isaac Moyo said the organisation had lost a dedicated cadre and leader, who was a fountain of wisdom.
“He was a man who was not moved by freak storms but one who stood bold against all odds. As we gather on this very solemn occasion, we pay our condolences to Cde Moyo’s family who have been robbed of a son, brother, father and breadwinner. The pain cannot be measured but indeed we are with you during this trying time. On behalf of the directorate, senior officers, fellow officers, and on my own behalf, I wish to express our collective heartfelt condolences to the Moyo family, relatives and friends on their bereavement. May his dear soul rest in eternal peace,” he said.
Cde Nhliziyo, a prominent politician, who was also buried at the shrine died on 10 October 2023 at Mpilo Central Hospital. His family was at pains as they explained their loss.
“His death has left me in pain. I took care of him during his sickness with hope of his recovery. It is really hard to accept this loss as a family,” said his wife Mrs Sifiso Nhliziyo.
The family’s spokesperson, Juliet Sibanda said Cde Nhliziyo’s death had saddened the family as they anticipated that he would recover. Cde Nhliziyo was born on the 26th of April 1956 in Gwanda, under Chief Masuku, being the first-born in his family of six children with four boys and two girls.
He moved to Bulawayo and stayed in Makokoba where he joined the Zapu Youth League. He tried cross to Francistown in Botswana but unfortunately he was captured and detained at Khami Medium Prison in 1977 when he was 21 years of age.
He served two years in prison and was released on amnesty in November 1979. After he was released, he was active in the issues of land reform in Matabeleland North and South Provinces.
Bulawayo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Cde Judith Ncube attended the burial and paid her condolences to the two families. She acknowledged the immense contribution made by both Cdes Moyo and Nhliziyo during their lifetime.
