adminPatrick Chitumba Midlands Bureau Chief
Zanu-PF Midlands province is still waiting for the conferment of a hero status on Central Committee member for the province, Cde Timothy Gandire-Mhuri, who died over the weekend.
Cde Gandire-Mhuri (88) succumbed to kidney failure at a private hospital in Borrowdale, Harare.
Zanu-PF Midlands provincial chairperson Engineer Daniel Mackenzie Ncube confirmed the development.
“We are still waiting for his hero status,” he said.
Midlands Central Committee member Cde Emmanuel Fundira is on record saying the provincial executive committee wrote to the Politburo requesting that he be declared a national hero.
“We have written to the party requesting national hero status for one of the pillars of the province who played a pivotal role during the liberation struggle,” said Cde Fundira.
He described Cde Gandire-Mhuri as a good listener and down-to-earth person who had an open-door policy.
“Those remaining in the province and party should continue uniting people, fighting for development and providing corrupt-free leadership, which he typified for more than 60 years,” said Cde Fundira.
“He provided good and mature leadership. He was the most senior both in the district and province. He was a source of wisdom and advice for the party.
‘‘ He remained committed to the party before and after independence.”
Born in Shurugwi on October 2 1930, Cde Gandire-Mhuri did his primary and secondary education at Vugwi before training as a mechanic at Ndweleni Technical College in South Africa.
Upon his return, he joined Zanu-PF in 1952 and later moved to Zambia to open a transport business.
He remained devoted to the liberation struggle during this time.
While in Zambia, Cde Gandire-Mhuri provided liberation fighters with accommodation and transportation and became a target of Zambian and Rhodesian colonial governments.
He worked with senior party leaders such as Cde Herbert Chitepo, Enock Dumbutshena and President Mnangagwa.
Soon after independence, he returned from Zambia and was appointed a Central Committee member, a position he held until his death.
Mourners are gathered at the family farm in Gweru.
Cde Gandire-Mhuri is survived by seven children and eight grandchildren.
Online Reporter