adminJoseph Madzimure Senior Reporter
ZIMBABWE Development Party (ZDP) leader and presidential aspirant Mr Kisinoti Mukwazhe, who died on Sunday night at Karanda Hospital in Mt Darwin, was a larger than life character who added a very individual touch to the country’s presidential elections.
His challenge to the top office in the country was largely seen as a mere additive that spiced the land scape with political humour. In one election there were seven times more spoilt ballot papers than his own votes.
Mr Mukwazhe, who died at the age of 49, was admitted to the hospital after complaining of a sore throat.
Friends and relatives have described him as a humble and patriotic leader who loved his country.
Mr Mukwazhe, who was always in the media, was confident of one day becoming president of the country despite a poor showing during elections, culminating in withdrawal and support for rival candidates.
Speaking to the media after filing his papers for the presidential elections in 2013, a bullish Mr Mukwazhe said he was positive about causing a major upset.
“I am certain I am going to make a big impact on the ground. We are going to make some surprises. We are for the voiceless people. If we employ our tactics well, we are going to do something big,” he said.
Mr Mukwazhe later pulled out of the race, but his name remained on the ballot.
Out of five candidates, Mr Mukwazhe got the least votes, 9 931. The winner, Zanu-PF’s Cde Robert Mugabe, received 2 110 434.
Even the spoilt ballots tally of 69 280 was seven-times Mr Mukwazhe’s total.
In 2015, Mr Mukwazhe wrote a letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs complaining over what he termed mistreatment by the German Embassy in Harare.
Mr Mukwazhe had failed to attend a five-day workshop in Germany after being denied a visa by the embassy. What irritated Mr Mukwazhe most was the fact that the embassy communicated its decision in German.
“For you to know their reasons for denial, they ask you to see interpreters who will easily access your private information, which is a violation to individual privacy. Remember Zimbabwe is internationally known as an English-speaking country,” read part of his letter.
In 2017, Mr Mukwazhe and Voice of the People leader Mr Moreprecision Muzadzi sued late MDC president Mr Morgan Tsvangirai in the High Court demanding payment for their role in uniting opposition parties to rally behind Mr Tsvangirai during the 2013 elections.
Mr Mukwazhe later dropped out of the suit, leaving Mr Muzadzi out in the cold.
Last year, Mr Mukwazhe and Mr Muzadzi filed an urgent chamber application seeking the deferment of the 2018 harmonised elections to enable the amendment of the law to allow minority parties to get funding from Treasury.
Chief Justice Luke Malaba, however, dismissed the application saying “the formation of a political party is not an income generating project”.
Mr Mukwazhe’s best friend, Mr Muzadzi, described him as a humble, patriotic and fearless politician who loved his country.
“He championed for the economic empowerment of the majority of Zimbabweans though his party, ZDP. However, he did not participate in the 2018 harmonised elections citing financial constraints. He did not feel motivated to take part in the 2018 elections because he was not financially stable,” said Mr Muzadzi.
The late Mr Mukwazhe also contributed immensely in the formulation of the new Constitution.
Recently, Mr Mukwazhe wrote a letter to United States of America president Mr Donald Trump calling for the removal of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.
“We beg the mighty power of the USA government to be used to appreciate that Zimbabwe is emerging from a disastrous era and should the baby steps made so far to reform are rewarded with magnanimity and relief it’s our conviction that Zimbabwe will emerge from the debris of economic Chernobyl and be a worth all with interests that dovetail with yours.
“The collateral damage from ZIDERA has strayed and has undermined our national pride, dignity, values, economy, fundamental human rights,” read the letter in part. ZDP chairman Mr Phillip Simango said Mr Mukwazhe was a fearless fighter who contributed immensely to democratic processes in Zimbabwe.
“He was very open minded, he worked with the MDC-T leader, the late Morgan Tsvangirai, ZAPU leader Dumiso Dabengwa, Simba Makoni, and other political parties.
“After the fall out with Tsvangirai, he jumped the ship and worked with the late former President Robert Mugabe,” Mr Simango said.
Burial arrangements will be announced in due course. Mr Mukwazhe left behind his wife, Shaderah, and seven children.
Mourners are gathered at 11 Ceres Road, Hatfield, Harare.
Online Reporter