Walter Basopo died Tuesday at age 66 in a South African hospital after battling illness for months. The retired spy served Zimbabwe for 45 years, starting as a freedom fighter against white rule. Born February 23, 1959, in Gutu District, he left school in 1976 to join the liberation forces. He trained at camps in Mozambique before becoming a guerrilla fighter with ZANLA forces.
A terrible car crash in 1979 cost him an arm just as he prepared for advanced training abroad. He returned to Zimbabwe during ceasefire talks that same year. After independence, he joined the Central Intelligence Organisation in November 1980 as a trainee. Basopo rose through the ranks steadily, earning promotions almost every few years from stations across the country.
CIO Director-General Fulton Mangwanya called Basopo one of their finest leaders who trained many officers. His career highlights included heading provincial offices during politically sensitive times. As regime change pressures grew against Zimbabwe, Basopo took leadership roles in counter-intelligence units. He earned an MBA from Midlands State University to sharpen his management skills.
The government gave him farmland during land reform programs, which he turned into a successful operation in Chinhoyi. He remained dedicated to helping Black Zimbabweans gain economic freedom throughout his life. Friends remember him as humble despite his high position. His leadership qualities earned respect from everyone he supervised during his decades of service.
A terrible car crash in 1979 cost him an arm just as he prepared for advanced training abroad. He returned to Zimbabwe during ceasefire talks that same year. After independence, he joined the Central Intelligence Organisation in November 1980 as a trainee. Basopo rose through the ranks steadily, earning promotions almost every few years from stations across the country.
CIO Director-General Fulton Mangwanya called Basopo one of their finest leaders who trained many officers. His career highlights included heading provincial offices during politically sensitive times. As regime change pressures grew against Zimbabwe, Basopo took leadership roles in counter-intelligence units. He earned an MBA from Midlands State University to sharpen his management skills.
The government gave him farmland during land reform programs, which he turned into a successful operation in Chinhoyi. He remained dedicated to helping Black Zimbabweans gain economic freedom throughout his life. Friends remember him as humble despite his high position. His leadership qualities earned respect from everyone he supervised during his decades of service.
