By Political Reporter

……as condolence messages pour in

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said the death of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Retired Lieutenant General Sibusiso Busi Moyo who succumbed to Covid 19 yesterday morning has greatly shocked him.

The President further said the late Minister Moyo played a pivotal role for the country to register significant diplomatic gains and victories across the globe.

“The death early this morning (yesterday) of our Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Lt General (Rtd) Dr SB Moyo, after Covid 19-related complications, has come to all of us as a great shock.

“On behalf of the ruling party Zanu PF, Government, my family, on my own behalf and that of our entire nation, I wish to express my sincere and deep heartfelt condolences to the Moyo family. My heart goes out especially to his wife, Justice (Loice) Matanda-Moyo, and to the children on this their saddest loss. In condoling with them, I urge them to derive solace and comfort from the distinguished role Dr Moyo played in the service of his people and nation, for which he shall be remembered and honoured across generations. May his dear soul rest in eternal peace,” said the President.

The President said since his appointment as Minister in 2017, the nation relied on Minister Moyo to spearhead the Engagement and Re engagement Policy.

“In 2017, I appointed him our Minister of Foreign Affairs, later adding International Trade to the portfolio and his bundle of responsibilities. In that onerous role, our nation relied on him for a determined execution of our Engagement and Reengagement Policy through which we sought to embrace the rest of the world, while repairing relations with those countries which had taken positions against us over our legitimate and principled decision to recover our heritage, principally land,” said President Mnangagwa.

President Mnangagwa applauded the late Minister for the sacrifices he made for the country, including abandoning school to join the liberation struggle.

He further said Lt Gen Moyo persistently deployed patient and dignified diplomacy, even against difficult and often hostile interlocutors. Through that patience and perseverance, Zimbabwe had expanded friendships, and registered significant diplomatic gains and victories across the globe.

The President said Minister Moyo was a distinguished scholar who balanced his time between his responsibilities and chores as a soldier, and his pursuit of higher studies.

Meanwhile, the global community has joined the nation in mourning Comrade Moyo. In its condolence message, the Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe said they were deeply saddened by the passing of Minister Moyo and said he has been a dear friend of to China.

The UK Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Melanie Robinson said she was saddened to hear of the death of Minister Moyo and said her country will stand by Zimbabwe in the fight against Covid 19.

Head of delegation of the European Union to Zimbabwe Mr Timo Olkkonen said “Zimbabwe has lost a professional Foreign Minister and @euinzim a great interlocutor”.

The late Lt Gen Moyo was born in November 1961 and joined the liberation struggle in 1976.

He received military training in Zambia and the then Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).

He was integrated into the Zimbabwe National Army as a captain in 1980 and rose through the ranks to become lieutenant general on retirement in 2017 before his appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister, a position that he held until the time of his death.