Minister Mudzingwa laid to rest in Harare

By Zvamaida Murwira

HARARE- Transport, Communications and Infrastructural Development Deputy Minister Tichaona Mudzingwa was buried yesterday at Glen Forest Memorial Park. People from all walks of life attended the burial.

Notable people at the burial included former Zanu-PF legislator for Marondera East Ms Tracy Mutinhiri who sat at the high table together with dignitaries who were predominantly MDC-T senior officials. Others included former Attorney General Mr Andrew Chigovera.

Speakers lauded Dr Mudzingwa as a hero in his own right. Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said he lost a person who was very close to him.

“Ini ndini ndarasikirwa manje because he was not only a no-nonsense person but he was my confidante. He would come to me and share ideas with me and guide me, he respected me despite the fact that I was younger than him,” he said.

“He is an icon not just for the liberation struggle but for democratic struggle. If I had my way, it would not take me long before I bestow him national hero status. He deserved it.”

Prime Minister Tsvangirai said there was need to deal with a political culture in which people become enemies because of political differences. He said independence fought for by liberation fighters who included Dr Mudzingwa entailed delivering freedom to the people.

“Independence of the people is a one day event but freedom of the people is a permanent feature,” he said. Speaking at the same occasion Senate President Edna Madzongwe said Dr Mudzingwa had a national appeal when it came to debating motions in the Upper House.

“He had a national outlook rather than a political party outlook. If there is an issue of concern, he would debate it well, without offending anyone,” she said. Madzongwe said Parliament had become poorer following his death.

“He did not debate on frivolities. He was a hero, igamba rinokosha,” she said. Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe described Dr Mudzingwa as a frank person who spoke his mind.

“National heroes are not declared by political parties or individuals, but are declared by their work,” she said.

“I want to say sorry to president Tsvangirai because you have been losing your lieutenants, we lost (Mabutweni constituency) Senator (Gladys) Gombami, Sen (Enna) Chitsa (Masotsha-Ndlovu constituency) and now its Dr Mudzingwa.”

Secretary for Transport, Communication and Infrastructural Development, Mr Partson Mbiriri said Dr Mudzingwa was a person who wanted results on service delivery. “His brief was on trunk roads, to make sure that they are in good shape,” he said.

He described the Deputy Minister as humble. “He would come at a place and people would fail to realise his presence,” he said.

Born on December 23, 1942 in Buhera in a family of six sisters and two brothers, Dr Mudzingwa was one of the founder members of the MDC-T in 1999. He was the party’s Secretary for Defence and Home Affairs up to March 2011. A medical doctor and Zimbabwe’s first specialist war surgeon Dr Mudzingwa died at the Avenues Clinic.

In March 2009, he was nominated to be a non-constituency senator and in the same month was appointed the Deputy Minister for Transport and Infrastructural Development. He started his political career in January 1960 when he joined the National Democratic Party’s Youth Wing, while learning at Fletcher High in Gweru.

A former member of Zanu-PF and Zapu, Dr Mudzingwa underwent military training in Tanzania, Mozambique and Zambia. He was a member of the Military High Command from 1975 to 1980.

He was the first medical doctor to receive full military training and to be deployed to the military front in Zambia and Mozambique from 1975 to 1980 when Zimbabwe attained its independence.

He was a Zimbabwe National Army retired Colonel who served in the military from 1980 to 1994 before revoking the title of Colonel. He was commander of the Zimbabwe Medical Corps and was awarded several medals for his service in the army. From 2000 to 2006, he was the MDC’s Secretary for Health and Security.

In 2005, he was the MDC candidate for Buhera North constituency in the Parliamentary election but lost to William Mutomba (Zanu-PF) in widely condemned elections marred by vote rigging. Dr Mudzingwa was still a practicing medical doctor. He was widowed and is survived by a son.