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Lovemore Mataire Senior Reporter
Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Climate Cde Simon Kundai Musanhu has died. He was 47. Acting President Emmerson Mnangagwa sent his condolence message yesterday describing Cde Musanhu as “belonging to a group of up and coming technocratic cadres in the party who made a telling difference in the 2013 harmonised elections”.
Cde Musanhu, who was the legislator for Hwedza North, is said to have collapsed and died at his Greystone Park home yesterday morning.
Family spokesperson Mrs Tsitsi Masvova said Cde Musanhu collapsed at around 1am and was pronounced dead before being taken to hospital.
She said he had not complained of any ailment prior to his sudden death.
“He only had a plaster on one of his legs after it got twisted sometime ago,” she said. “We are all in a state of shock.”
Mrs Masvova said funeral arrangements would be clearer upon the arrival of Cde Musanhu’s elder brother Mr Shepherd Musanhu who is based in South Africa who was expected to arrive in the country late last night.
Acting President Mnangagwa said he learnt of Cde Musanhu’s death with deep sorrow.
“Sadly, his shocking demise cuts short a promising career in the party and in our Government,” he said. “I happen to know personally that he had big plans for the people of Hwedza who today register their affection for him through grief.
“They have lost a dedicated son. On behalf of the ruling party Zanu-PF, His Excellency the President, who is away, Government and my own behalf, I wish to express my deepest condolences to the Musanhu family, especially to the departed’s grieving wife and children, on their saddest loss.”
An engineer by profession, Cde Musanhu attended St Augustine’s Penhalonga School in Manicaland.
He was an infrastructure development specialist, engineering consultant and businessman with over 20 years of professional experience with local and international engineering firms.
Cde Musanhu had specialised experience in project design, resource mobilisation, feasibility studies, project structuring and contract administration.
He is survived by his wife Emma and two children — Dadisai (12) and Simbarashe (10).
Mourners are gathered at number 29 Gaydon Rd Greystone Park, Harare.
Online Reporter