News / National
'I am now a professional mourner,' says Tsvangirai
30 Jan 2013 at 23:48hrs | Views
POLITICAL commentator and university lecturer Professor John Makumbe was laid to rest in rural Buhera on Wednesday - in the same constituency he hoped to represent as MP after the next elections.
Makumbe, a prominent critic of President Robert Mugabe's government, died suddenly from a suspected heart attack on Sunday.
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said Makumbe's biggest legacy to Zimbabwe was the new draft constitution set to come before parliament next week.
Makumbe, Tsvangirai explained, had worked on the document as an expert for his MDC-T party.
His death was particularly painful for his party, he went on, as it came after they recently buried eight other party officials including the former ZINATHA chief Gordon Chavunduka.
"When I heard about his death, I thought to myself: 'I'm now a professional mourner'," Tsvangirai told hundreds of mourners, including the Mavambo leader Simba Makoni, ministers and academics.
As an albino, Makumbe campaigned against the discrimination and persecution of people with albinism in many African countries.
He had announced his intentions to run for MP in Buhera West, replacing Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Eric Matinenga who says he is disappointed by politics and wants out.
Makumbe, a prominent critic of President Robert Mugabe's government, died suddenly from a suspected heart attack on Sunday.
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said Makumbe's biggest legacy to Zimbabwe was the new draft constitution set to come before parliament next week.
Makumbe, Tsvangirai explained, had worked on the document as an expert for his MDC-T party.
His death was particularly painful for his party, he went on, as it came after they recently buried eight other party officials including the former ZINATHA chief Gordon Chavunduka.
"When I heard about his death, I thought to myself: 'I'm now a professional mourner'," Tsvangirai told hundreds of mourners, including the Mavambo leader Simba Makoni, ministers and academics.
As an albino, Makumbe campaigned against the discrimination and persecution of people with albinism in many African countries.
He had announced his intentions to run for MP in Buhera West, replacing Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Eric Matinenga who says he is disappointed by politics and wants out.
Source - news
