adminMashudu Netsianda Senior Reporter
THE provincial magistrate in charge of Matabeleland North and Bulawayo provinces and former freedom fighter, Mr John Masimba, has died.
He was 56. Family spokesperson and son, Mr Gerald Masimba said his father died yesterday morning at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) following a short illness.
“My father’s health started to deteriorate soon after a recent accident, which occurred while he was coming from a workshop in Harare.
“On Saturday he had an operation at UBH and we all thought that he would recover but sadly he passed on today (yesterday) at about 1.45am,” he said.
“As a family we have been saddened by the death of our father who was indeed a great pillar and an inspiration to us. Words alone cannot express how deeply pained we are as a family.”
Mourners are gathered at Number 22 Moffat Road in North End and burial arrangements are yet to be announced.
A Bulawayo lawyer and close friend, Mr Lawrence Chikwakwa, described Mr Masimba as a humble but brave magistrate who interacted with everyone irrespective of their social standing.
“Mr Masimba was a very humble man and brave magistrate. In fact, despite being a close friend to me I also treated him like a brother and father because of the respect that I had for him.
“I have known him for more than 15 years and he was an upright man who would listen to everyone,” said Mr Chikwakwa.
Born on 4 February 1957 in Chivi district in Masvingo, Mr Masimba attended primary school at Taru Primary in Chivi district before enrolling at Berejena Mission and Gokomere High for his secondary education.
After completing his studies, he went to Mozambique in 1975 to join the liberation struggle.
Soon after independence, he worked at the Bulawayo magistrates’ court as a clerk before he later enrolled at the Judiciary College of Zimbabwe in Domboshava outside Harare where he trained as a magistrate.
On finishing his course, Masimba was employed by the Judiciary Service Commission as a junior magistrate.
He rose through the ranks to become a provincial magistrate starting off with the Masvingo station where he took charge before he was later transferred to Bulawayo.
He is survived by a wife, Sherry and four children, three sons and a daughter.
Online Reporter