by Staff reporter

President Mnangagwa yesterday sent a condolence message to the Ndlovu family following the passing on of Ambassador Jetro Ndombondayi Ndlovu after a short illness.

In a press statement yesterday, President Mnangagwa described the late Ndlovu who was Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as a tireless, dedicated and hard working diplomat.

“I was very shocked and pained to receive the sad news of the untimely death at the weekend of our Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Cde Jethro Ndombondayi Ndlovu after a short illness. The late Ambassador Ndlovu’s passing on sends a clear message to all of us that during this COVID-19 pandemic, we can no longer take life for granted until this pandemic is over,” reads part of the statement.

“In the late Ambassador Ndlovu, Zimbabwe has lost a tireless, dedicated and hardworking diplomat whose presence of mind and effort in the UAE were beginning to yield positive results for our country especially on bilateral trade whose volumes have grown significantly in value to nearly $1 billion since his posting two years ago,” said the President.

President Mnangagwa said the late Ambassador will be remembered for the invaluable contributions he made to the freedom and independence of Zimbabwe, and more so, to the country’s aviation sector where he served for a long time in different capacities at very senior levels.

“On behalf of Zanu-PF, Government, my family and indeed my on behalf, I wish to convey my heartfelt condolence to the Ndlovu family, especially to his wife Eunice and child, who have lost a loving husband and great father. May they take comfort from the knowledge that they are not alone during this darkest hour of grief,” said President Mnangagwa.

COVID-19 has claimed several lives in the country including prominent figures like politicians and business people.

To-date the country has recorded 33 814 cases, 26 794 recoveries and 1 254 deaths.