By James Gwati- Zanu PF politburo has conferred the late former Zimbabwe Republic Police Deputy Commissioner, Moses Griffiths Mpofu, with national hero status.

The announcement was made by Simon Khaya Moyo, Wednesday evening after the Zanu PF politburo meeting which was held in Harare.

Mpofu (66), passed away on 12th February 2021 at United Bulawayo Hospital, Bulawayo after a long illness.

The late ex-Deputy Commissioner Mpofu went to Nsezi Primary, Tsholotsho and completed his secondary education at Thegwani High School in 1974.

He crossed the border to Zambia under the ZIPRA banner in 1975 and received military training at Mwembeshi, Zambia, and later Mgagao and Morogoro in Tanzania.

After training, the late Mpofu was deployed in Zambia under the ZAPU intelligence wing, National Security Order, a counter agency against Rhodesian forces.

He underwent command related courses between 1978 and 1979 at Novocherkassk Advanced Police Academy under the United Soviet Social Republic (USSR).

On attainment of the country’s independence, Mpofu joined the Police Service in 1981 as a patrol officer and was posted to ZRP Mphoengs after training.

He served at various stations across the country including Mayobodo, Fort Rixon, Esigodini, Gwanda, Bulawayo Central and Harare Province

He rose through the ranks to the rank of Deputy Commissioner in 1999 a rank which he held until his retirement in December 2003.