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“We are still consulting…we are having a round robin,” said Cde Gumbo.
“It is only after this process that we will be able to give you the status. I am sure it will be announced tomorrow (today) because some of the Politburo members are scattered all over.”
Scores of people who spoke to Chronicle expressed shock and dismay over Dr Mudenge’s death, saying the void he left would be hard to fill.
Zanu-PF National Chairman Cde Simon Khaya Moyo and the revolutionary party’s senior leadership in Masvingo, Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and South also expressed shock at Dr Mudenge’s death.
They described Dr Mudenge as a distinguished educationist, historian and politician and paid tribute to his immense contribution in the development of the country.
Cde Khaya Moyo said he knew Dr Mudenge in the 1960s when he was arrested with other nationalists at the then University of Rhodesia, now University of Zimbabwe before being detained at Gonakudzingwa Prison where he met the late Father Zimbabwe Dr Joshua Nkomo.
He said Dr Mudenge was consistent and persistent in pursuing the goals of the liberation struggle in his entire life.
“He has remained consistent and persistent in pursuit of the liberation ideals. He served his country with distinction in various capacities. As a distinguished intellectual he died on duty. He served in the party as the National Secretary for External Affairs and in doing so he promoted inter-party relations with other progressive parties in Africa and beyond,” said Cde Khaya Moyo.
Zanu-PF Politburo member Cde Dzikamai Mavhaire said he was devastated when he learnt of the minister’s death on Thursday, adding that the province has lost one of its illustrious sons.
“I was personally touched when I learnt of his death yesterday evening. The whole province and nation at large is also devastated to lose such an icon in education, politics and even in social life. Dr Mudenge’s work is there for anyone to see. His bias towards education is second to none. Our province has educated people largely because of the efforts from people like this man. I did not have the composure to comment when I heard of his death yesterday,” said Cde Mavhaire.
He said Dr Mudenge was a pillar of strength in the party and he helped many people attain different milestones in life.
Cde Mavhaire said Dr Mudenge worked as a civil servant as a demonstration of his uncensured desire to save his motherland.
Cde Mavhaire said Dr Mudenge deserved to be buried at the National Heroes Acre because of his works.
“We have recommended, as a province, that he be accorded National Hero status. However, the final decision lies with the party’s supreme body, the Politburo. What we have done is to write a letter applying for the national hero status for our cadre,” he said.
Zanu-PF Masvingo Women’s League provincial chairperson Cde Shylet Uyoyo said the province had lost a “mother” figure who appreciated every woman’s concerns.
“Dr Mudenge was like a mother to all women here in Masvingo and we don’t know who will fill the gap he left. He would listen to all our concerns and take action where he was supposed to. In actual fact he was omnipotent, more like a true mother,” she said.
Masvingo Senator Cde Maina Mandava said Dr Mudenge had a vision for the party in the province and would not tolerate bad things.
Zanu-PF provincial secretary for information and publicity Cde Phainos Makwarimba said Dr Mudenge has left a legacy that many people should envy.
MDC-T provincial member Mr Faustina Murambatsvina said he was disturbed by the news of Dr Mudenge’s death and said he would be with the family at this trying times.
Deputy Prime Minister Professor Arthur Mutambara described Cde Mudenge as a rare academic and politician.
“Dr Mudenge belonged to a unique breed of politicians in that he was also a distinguished academic,” he said.
“His death is a great loss to Zimbabwe, he was a great historian and did great public servant work during his tenure as Minister of Foreign Affairs. He was a critical member of Cabinet because he brought so much institutional memory. Whenever he spoke everybody listened.”
Zanu-PF provincial chairman Cde Lovemore Matuke said Dr Mudenge was a nationalist whose works have been confirmed and approved beyond any doubt. Cde Matuke said mourners were gathered at Dr Mudenge’s rural home in Zimuto, but the body was in the mortuary at 4 Brigade, from where it will be flown to Harare.
“As I speak the body is here in town at 4 Infantry Brigade but it will be flown to Harare any time from now. We are only waiting for an order from Harare on what the next step is. Mourners will gather at Bawa Village in Zimuto communal lands, which is Dr Mudenge’s rural home,” said Cde Matuke.
Zanu-PF Matabeleland South provincial chairman Cde Andrew Langa said his province learnt with sadness about the passing on of Dr Mudenge.
He described him as a true academic and a professional who exhibited higher levels of discipline and integrity in the discharge of his duties. “As a province we send our condolence message to the Mudenge family, President Mugabe, Masvingo province and the country as a whole,” he said.
Acting Zanu-PF chairman for Bulawayo Cde Killian Sibanda also expressed shock at Dr Mudenge’s death.
“His death has shocked everyone in the province. We certainly sympathise with his family and the nation at large in this time of grief. He was a humble man who helped a lot of people,” said Cde Sibanda.
Zanu-PF Matabeleland North provincial spokesperson Cde Jonathan Mathuthu said Dr Mudenge was a dedicated cadre who contributed a lot in developing the country’s education system.
He is survived by his wife Mildred, three children and two grandchildren.
Online Reporter