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From George Maponga in Masvingo
The late veteran educationist and former Finance and Economic Development Minister, Dr Samuel Mumbengegwi, was yesterday buried at his rural home in Madamombe communal lands in Chivi North. Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa described him as a principled man who never wavered from pursuing revolutionary ideals until death.
Dr Mumbengegwi (74) died on Tuesday last week after succumbing to hypertension, diabetes and a kidney ailment and was accorded a State-assisted funeral.
Addressing mourners at Dr Mumbengegwi’s burial, VP Mnangagwa hailed the late Cabinet minister for his outstanding service to Zimbabwe especially after independence when he served in various Cabinet portfolios.
He said the late Dr Mumbengegwi was a hardworking and principled nationalist who was committed to the development of his fatherland.
“I have been sent by President Mugabe with a message to the Mumbengegwi family and the people of Chivi that this man who is lying here (Dr Mumbengegwi) no longer belonged to you but was now an asset to the nation of Zimbabwe because of his work,’’ he said.
“His (Dr Mumbengegwi’s) death is not only a loss to the Mumbengegwi family and the people of Masvingo, but it’s a loss to the whole country. We have lost a committed and hardworking man who never wavered from toeing the Zanu-PF line until his last breath,’’ he said.
VP Mnangagwa said Dr Mumbengegwi would always be remembered for the sterling work he did following his appointment in various Government positions culminating in his appointment as Minister of Finance and Economic Development in 2007.
The late Finance Minister also played a key role in the struggle for political independence.
“Dr Mumbengegwi’s work in the service of his country started even before independence when he collaborated with decorated freedom fighters such as Dominic Chinenge (General Constantine Chiwenga), who is here with us today.
During the liberation struggle, he worked together with others such as (former Masvingo Governor Cde Willard) Chiwewe with the late national hero Dr Simon Mazorodze being the focal point,’’ said VP Mnanga- gwa.
The Vice President added that the presence of decorated freedom fighters such as General Chiwenga at Dr Mumbengegwi’s funeral showed that the late veteran educationist was a key player in shaping Zimbabwe’s history to what it is today.
Speaking on behalf of the Mumbengegwi family, Dr Mumbengegwi’s young brother and Foreign Affairs Minister Cde Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, thanked President Mugabe and the Zanu-PF Government for honouring his borther.
Cde Mumbengegwi said his family was humbled by the recognition accorded to their son in honour of his service to Zimbabwe dating back to the pre-independence era.
Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister Senator Shuvai Mahofa said the province was poorer without Dr Mumbengegwi.
Sen Mahofa singled out the maize project in the Lowveld as one of the projects initiated by the late Cabinet minister in Masvingo Province.
Dr Mumbengegwi was born on October 23, 1942 and served for a time as Minister of Higher Education.
He also had a stint as Zanu-PF Masvingo provincial chairman.
The late educationist was in August 2002 appointed as Minister of Industry and International Trade before serving as Minister of State for Indigenisation and Empowerment in 2005.
Dr Mumbengegwi was appointed Minister of Finance and Economic Development on February 6, 2007 taking over from Dr Herbert Murerwa.
He was dropped from Cabinet in January 2009 after losing the right to represent the Chivi-Mwenezi Senate seat in Zanu-PF primary elections ahead of the 2008 harmonised elections.
At the time of his death Dr Mumbengegwi was a senior lecturer at Great Zimbabwe University in the Faculty of Education.
He is survived by wife Sellina, five children and eight grand- children.
Online Reporter