Zimbabwe: Manicaland Provincial Minister Gwaradzimba dies from Covid-19

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Zimbabwe: Manicaland Provincial Minister Gwaradzimba dies from Covid-19

12:16 CAT | 15 Jan 2021

Picture from Facebook page of Hon Dep Minister Tino Machakaire

Zimbabwe’ Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs Ellen Gwaradzimba has died from Covid-19.

She was 60.

A government official and relative to the late minister confirmed the news to NewZimbabwe that she died at a private clinic in Harare this Friday.

Gwaradzimba, a war veteran of the liberation struggle, was airlifted to Harare after suffering from Covid-19 related complications recently.

Her death comes as Covid-19 cases continue to surge after an influx of returnees in the country during the just ended festive season.

Gwaradzima, a Zanu PF Women’s League executive member, was first elected Senator during the 30 July 2018 harmonised election and was appointed Provincial Affairs Minister in 2019.

She is the latest serving government minister to die of the Covid-19 scourge following the death last year of then Agriculture minister Perrance Shiri.

Zimbabwe battles a rampaging Covid-19 menace that has killed 636 locals out of a cumulative 25,368 cases recorded since the first case was confirmed in March last year.

A total 47 Covid-19 deaths were reported by authorities Thursday, the highest daily figure since the onset of the pandemic in the country.

By Anna Chibamu

Ellen Gwaradzimba – short bio

Born Ellen Munyoro, Dr Gwaradzimba, one of the top senior civil servants in Manicaland before her ministerial appointment, was born and raised in a family of freedom fighters where five of her brothers, aunt and her father — now late — fought in the liberation struggle.

After she got to Mozambique, Dr Gwaradzimba immediately left for training in Tanzania at Nachingwea Military Academy where she majored in guerrilla, conventional and regular warfare before her deployment to Gaza Province.

She also served as secretary to Cde William Ndangana and the late Cde Kumbirai Kangai, deputy secretary for department of transport and social welfare (Maputo Office).

It was during the liberation struggle that she met her husband, Cde Godfrey Mtausi Gwaradzimba in 1978.

She joined liberation Struggle in Mozambique in 1976 (ZANLA forces). She later on went to become Provincial Chairperson of the Women’s league 2001 – 2009 and Secretary for Administration and a Central Committee Member 2010 -2018 (All in Manicaland Province)

Dr Gwaradzimba, spent the better part of her life working in the academia for several institutions that include the University of Zimbabwe, Mutare Polytechnic and the Africa University.

At the time of her death she was a member if the ZANU PF Central Committee.

3/ Manicaland Provincial Minister Dr Gwaradzimba has died‼️

After she got to Mozambique, Dr Gwaradzimba immediately left for training in Tanzania at Nachingwea Military Academy where she majored in guerrilla, conventional & regular warfare before her deployment to Gaza Province. pic.twitter.com/5OQIFIC2p9

— ZANU PF PATRIOTS 🇿🇼 (@zanupf_patriots) January 15, 2021