Zimbabwe’s former Home Affairs minister and liberation war stalwart, Dumiso Dabengwa has died.
Dabengwa, 80, passed away Thursday morning on his way from India where he had gone for a liver related treatment.
At the time of his death, Dabengwa was the President of the opposition Zapu.
“I am very sorry to hear of the passing away of Comrade Dumiso Dabengwa. I had huge respect for Dumiso and his contribution to Zimbabwe; as a liberation fighter, a long standing Minister of and as a man. My deepest condolences are with his friends and family at this sad time,” President Emmerson Mnangagwa said..
Opposition politician David Coltart added: “I am very sad to read that Dumiso Dabengwa has died. Although we were on different sides of the war and on different sides when we stood in Parliament, we became good friends and he will be greatly missed.”
Dabengwa was head of Zapu’s intelligence department of its military wing during the armed struggle, the Zipra.
In 1982 Dabengwa was charged, with Zipra commander Lookout Masuku, and four others, of treason by the then Robert Mugabe government.
They were acquitted due to lack of evidence in 1983. On release they were re-detained under emergency regulations.
Dabengwa was released four years later.
