Online Reporter
Joseph Madzimure
Zimpapers Politics Hub
ZANU PF Mashonaland East Province has submitted a request to the ruling party to confer national hero status on businessman Cde Joseph Mutangadura, who was brutally killed at his farmhouse in Ruwa in a suspected armed robbery on Sunday.
He was 67.
Cde Mutangadura was an active party member at district level in Goromonzi.
ZANU PF Mashonaland East provincial political commissar Cde Lincoln Matare confirmed that the province had written to the party leadership requesting national hero status for Cde Mutangadura due to his immense contribution to the nation and party.
“We have applied to the national party leadership for Cde Mutangadura to be declared a national hero because of the role he played in developing the country after independence and supporting party activities. Cde Mutangadura was one the new crop of indigenous businesspeople who created employment for the youth and contributed immensely to the growth of the country’s economy,” said Cde Matare.
ZANU PF Central Committee member Cde Munyaradzi Kashambe said Cde Mutangadura served the party as a district member.
“He contributed immensely to the party and the nation at large. He employed more than 500 people and paid school fees for more than 200 students from under privileged families, hence deserved the recognition,” said Cde Kashambe.
Meanwhile, police have since launched a nationwide manhunt for the robbers who shot and killed the prominent businessman.
Preliminary investigations indicate that seven masked men, armed with pistols, claw bars and hammers, stormed the property at around 11pm.
They overpowered the security guard, tied his hands with shoelaces and forced him into the house where they used metal bars to break down a door leading to the main bedroom.
Cde Mutangadura was shot in the stomach as he lay in bed with his wife.
The gang ransacked the house before fleeing. Both Cde Mutangadura and his wife were found unconscious and rushed to Eden Hospital in Windsor, Ruwa, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
His wife is still receiving treatment.
Police said the exact details and value of the stolen property were still being verified.
Cde Mutangadura was a well-known businessman in Ruwa, owning several ventures including Mutangaz Hideout, Mutangaz Panyama and Lisheen Estate.
