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Andrew Muvishi Mash East Correspondent
Zanu-PF Marondera East legislator Cde Patrick Chidakwa has died.
He was 54.
Family representative Richard Mavhunga said the legislator died in a South Africa hospital yesterday morning.
Cde Chidakwa, who was diabetic and had a heart ailment, was flown to South Africa on Thursday.
He started off his career as a politician when he was elected Zanu PF district chairperson for Ward 4 in Marondera East before being elected councillor for Marondera Rural District Council Ward 4, where he served two terms, resulting in him being conferred Aldermanship recently.
He was then elected chairman of Marondera Rural District Council and was subsequently elected vice president of Association of Rural District Councils (ARDC).
He was elected MP for Marondera East in 2018.
Minister of State for Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs Apollonia Munzverengwi described MP Chidakwa as a hard worker.
“On behalf of Mashonaland East Province, I have learnt with shock the death of Cde Patrick Chidakwa. We have lost a hard working Member of Parliament,” she said.
“He was committed in terms of development and was involved in the construction of schools, clinics and roads.
“May God strengthen his family and friends during this trying time, may his soul rest in peace,” said Minister Munzverengwi.
Zanu PF Mashonaland East chairman Cde Biggie Matiza described Cde Chidakwa as a strong party member and a very active Member of Parliament.
“He participated fully in party programmes and his constituency was one of the active ones in terms of projects so it is a great loss,” said Minister Matiza.
MP Chidakwa is survived by his wife Audrey Muranganwa and five children, two girls and three boys.
Mourners are gathered at his Kelhead Farm under chief Svosve in Marondera East.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter