Elson Moyo
Elson Moyo | |
---|---|
Commander of the Air Force of Zimbabwe | |
In office 18 December 2017 – 15 March 2024 | |
President | Emmerson Mnangagwa |
Preceded by | Shebba Shumbayaonda (Acting) |
Succeeded by | John Jacob Nzvede |
Chief of Staff for Joint Operations and Plans of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces | |
President | Emmerson Mnangagwa Robert Mugabe |
Deputy Commander of the Air Force of Zimbabwe | |
In office 30 October 2003 – 2007 | |
President | Robert Mugabe |
Military service | |
Allegiance | Air Marshal |
Elson Moyo was a Zimbabwean
Early life and education
Moyo was born in Mberengwa. In 1977, when he was a student at Manama Secondary School, Moyo together with his cousin SB Moyo left school and joined the liberation struggle via Botswana. [1]
Career
Moyo was one of the first blacks to receive full training as a pilot together with retired Air Marshal Shebba Shumbayaonda. However, the two had to be trained outside the country because the Rhodesian government worked to block black Africans from becoming pilots.[2]
After Zimbabwe gained independence, Moyo was a flying instructor at
Moyo is an accomplished pilot, who in 2011, had 1970[2] hours flying time in the following aircraft: Hunter, SF260M, SF260TP, Hawk, MIG 15, L29, MF1-17 and T-37.[2]
Death escape
Following what were reported as clashes with Shiri,[6] in March 2007 Moyo had become critically ill as a result of suspected poisoning. He later recovered.[4]
Controversy
Moyo was arrested on 7 June 2007 along with Major General Engelbert Rugeje and around 400 other military personnel for allegedly plotting to overthrow the Mugabe administration.[7] It was later noted that Moyo was under 24-hour surveillance and had been removed from his public roles.[8] In 2015, Moyo was still in military service and reported to be the Chief of Staff for Joint Operation and Plans.[9]
Elson Moyo achieved some notoriety after he was sued for allegedly committing adultery with the wife of a policeman.[7][10]
References
- ^ Mugabe, Tendai (21 April 2018). "Meet Sibusiso B. Moyo…The man who read Mugabe the riot act". Herald. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
- ^ a b c "First black pilots ready for fly past". Herald. 9 August 2011. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
- ^ a b Sibanda, Tichaona (14 June 2007). "Zimbabwe: Army Investigates Reports of Coup Plot". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 1 April 2008.
- ^ a b 'Air Force commander poisoned' Archived 2008-03-03 at the Wayback Machine newzimbabwe.com
- ^ "Elson Moyo". African Development Information Services. 9 January 2008. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 1 April 2008.
- ^ "Death of a general". Africa Confidential. 48 (16). London, UK: Asempa Limited. 3 August 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
- ^ a b Coup attempt nipped in bud Ocnus.Net
- ^ INSIDE STORY OF ZIM COUP PLOT Archived 10 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine The Zimbabwean - reproduced on ever-fasternews.com
- ^ "Zim, China military ties reaffirmed". zimbabwesituation.com. 2 August 2015.
- ^ Air Force chief sued for adultery by cop Archived 2008-07-27 at the Wayback Machine newzimbabwe.com