Staff Reporter

The death of Zimbabwean lawyer and constitutional expert, Alex Magaisa, who succumbed to cardiac arrest yesterday, has attracted mixed graveside messages.

As condolences messages continue to pour for Magaisa, a section of Zimbabweans argued that as much as Magaisa was an academic and a prolific writer, he was a sell out who denigrated his country in most of his writings.

While many Zimbabweans didn’t dispute that Magaisa was an expert lawyer and an academic par excellence, they disagreed on his service to the nation.

ZANU PF’s Director for Information Tafadzwa Mugwadi described Magaisa as a brother who was not tolerant to contrary views.

“His (Magaisa’s) tweets and pro-Uncle Tom approach to national discourse stunk like all puppets. He was intolerant to contrary views and leaves a legacy of blocking those who disagreed with MDC/CCC ideas. However, despite all that, we mourn a brother and a Zimbabwean,” said Mugwadi.

Former ZANU PF Youth League boss, Tendai Chirau said he was saddened by Magaisa’s death although he disagreed with him ideologically.

“He was not my favourite blogger because I did not agree with his views which I believe were subjective and meant to advance an agenda that does not build a nation. The negativity he churned out was too toxic. Be that as it may, I am saddened by death,” said Chirau.

ZANU PF secretary for administration Dr Obert Mpofu described Magaisa as a humble intellectual while Government spokesperson Nick Mangwana said as much as they politically disagreed with Magaisa, it was never personal.

Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa said Magaisa was a force, a giant and a humble human being while CCC deputy national chairperson Job Sikhala said Magaisa was considered a gentleman across the political divide.

Academic, Ibbo Mandaza said Magaisa’s death was a great loss to Zimbabwe’s intellectual community.

Meanwhile, Magaisa has been accused of playing an active role in calling for the imposition of sanctions on Zimbabwe. Magaisa who was the chairperson of Zimbabwe Diaspora Development Interface (ZDDI), an organisation that pushed for sanctions on Zimbabwe, was one of the foot soldiers for the MDC and now CCC who mobilised funds for regime change activities.

Magaisa, who was the late Morgan Tsvangirai’s advisor died at the age of 46 and is survived by his wife Shamiso and children.