Vice President Joseph Msika dies

Vice President Joseph Msika has died government officials said on Tuesday. The 86 year old had been unwell for some time.

Msika suffered a stroke in June and ever since speculation around his successor within Zanu PF had contributed to an escalation of hostilities between the Mujuru and Mnangagwa faction.

The Vice President was taken ill for an undisclosed ailment and flown to South Africa during the period Zimbabwe was hosting the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) Summit which took place in the resort town of Victoria Falls from May 28 to June 8.

On returning home, Msika was re-admitted at St Anne’s, a Harare private hospital, after he developed complications arising from his operation. His deteriorating health saw staff at the private health institution confining him to the high dependency unit.