Munyaradzi Kereke dies

Former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) senior adviser and Bikita West legislator Dr Munyaradzi Kereke, who was later convicted of rape, has died aged 54.

Kereke died early today at The Avenues Clinic in Harare after suffering a stroke. He had been receiving treatment in the clinic's intensive care unit before his death.

Family representatives confirmed his passing in a brief statement, saying funeral arrangements would be announced in due course.

Kereke rose to prominence during his time at the RBZ, where he served as a senior strategic adviser to then governor Gideon Gono.

He was reportedly head-hunted from Stanbic Bank because of his professional expertise and was regarded as one of the high-profile figures within Gono's administration.

During his years at the central bank, Kereke accumulated considerable wealth, reportedly acquiring more than 10 upmarket properties, including several mansions. At the height of his prominence, he was known for his affluent lifestyle, with several wives, children, luxury vehicles and homes in some of Harare's upmarket suburbs.

His relationship with Gono later deteriorated dramatically, resulting in a highly publicised fallout with his former boss. Kereke also became embroiled in political disputes involving prominent Zanu PF figures, including former vice-president Joice Mujuru.

He entered active politics under the Zanu PF banner and won the Bikita West parliamentary seat in the 2013 elections.

His political career, however, effectively ended after he was convicted in 2016 of raping his 11-year-old niece at gunpoint.

The case attracted widespread attention and became notable as Zimbabwe's first high-profile private prosecution. Lawyer Charles Warara led the prosecution after the state Prosecutor-General had initially declined to prosecute.

Kereke was sentenced to an effective 10-year prison term and served part of his sentence before being released on bail in 2021 pending an appeal.

His legal battle ultimately came to an end in May 2024 when the Supreme Court dismissed his appeal in its entirety and ordered him to return to prison to serve the remainder of his sentence.

Kereke reportedly suffered a stroke shortly after returning to custody. His condition subsequently deteriorated, eventually leading to his death at The Avenues Clinic.

At the time of his death, Kereke remained a controversial figure whose career had traversed Zimbabwe's banking sector, central bank, politics and the criminal justice system.