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Auxilia Katongomara, Chronicle Reporter
POLICE Officer Commanding Bulawayo Suburban Chief Superintendent Rita Nomsa Masina has died.

She was 53.

Chief Superintendent Masina passed away at Mpilo Hospital after a long illness.

She had served the police force for 32 years.

Officer Commanding Bulawayo Provice Senior Assistant Commissioner Stephen Mutamba described Chief Supt Masina as a hardworking and dedicated officer who was results-oriented.

“Rita’s death has been a blow not only to the Masina family but also to the organisation which she faithfully served,” said Snr Asst Comm Mutamba.

Chief Supt Masina was born on November 8, 1964 in Gweru.  She began her primary education at Tsungai Primary School in Highfield, Harare in 1970.

In 1975, she was transferred to Lower Gweru where her parents had relocated and completed her grade seven in 1976.

Soon after writing her Grade Seven examinations, she joined the liberation struggle.  She crossed the border into Botswana and later flew to Zambia where she underwent warfare training.

She was attested into the Zimbabwe Republic Police as a constable in 1985.

Upon completing her six months police training at Morris Depot, Harare she was posted to Harare Central where she did charge office and patrol duties between 1986 and 1988.

On October 27 1988, Chief Supt Masina was transferred to Beitbridge manning the Crime Registry Office.  She was later transferred to Gwanda District headquarters registry where she maintained the records in 1989.

On July 1, 1993, Chief Supt Masina was promoted to the rank of sergeant due to her hard working and outstanding performance. She was transferred to Matabeleland South Provincial headquarters to assume duties of community liaison officer.

She was also Kuyedza Women’s Club provincial technical advisor.

In 1998, she was promoted to the rank of inspector and was subsequently transferred to Matabeleland South Provincial Transport Section as transport officer and later became the Officer in Charge Gwanda Police Station managing human material resources.

“She performed above expectations making recoveries and arrests which were appreciated by the community which she served. Her zeal and dedication to duty led to her promotion as superintendent in 2005 and she was appointed to Justice of Peace for Zimbabwe,” said Snr Asst Comm Mutamba.

She assumed the role of superintendent in charge of crime in Gwanda District and was transferred to Bulawayo West Division and worked in the same capacity.  In 2006 she was again transferred to Hwange as superintendent in charge of administration.

She became chief superintendent in 2007 and was moved to Bulawayo as police intelligence officer.

“Rita’s performance was always above what was expected. She remained dedicated to her duty. Upon realising the vast knowledge, skills and expertise acquired by Rita during her career in the Zimbabwe Republic Police she was transferred to Bulawayo West, Bulawayo Central and Bulawayo Suburban as Officer Commanding Districts from 2008 until her untimely death,” Snr Asst Comm Mutamba said.

She will be buried today in Lower Gweru at Mxotshwa Village near ZRP Maboleni.

@AuxiliaK