Derick Tsimba

President Emerson Mnangagwa has mourned Dr Dumiso Dabengwa who has died early this morning, saying he had great respect for the former cabinet minister and politburo member. 

“I am very sorry to hear of the passing of Comrade Dumiso Dabengwa. I had huge respect for Dumiso and his contribution to Zimbabwe: As a liberation fighter, a long standing Minister of Home Affairs and as a man. My deepest condolences are with his friends and family at this sad time,” said the President.

The Zimbabwe African Peoples Union (ZAPU) intelligent supremo died whilst on his way to South Africa from India, Harare Post has learnt.

Dr Dabengwa died whilst in Kenya where he was supposed to board a connecting flight to South Africa. He had gone to India to undergo a medical treatment for an undisclosed ailment. After undergoing surgery in India, Dr Debengwa had been going in and out of the hospital because of failing health and was supposed to arrive at a South African medical facility to recuperate.  

The former Home of Affairs Minister was no longer politically active by the time he passed on. Close friends say he had intentions to step down from the party’s leadership during their congress this year and subsequently rejoin Zanu PF.

Dabengwa was born on 6 December 1939. He served as the head of Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) intelligence during the days of the liberation struggle.

He was 79 years old and survived by his wife and five children and several grandchildren.