Staff Reporter

President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday sent condolence messages to the Manyonda family over the death of former Deputy Minister and Manicaland Provincial Governor, Kenneth Manyonda who died this past Wednesday.

In his condolence message, President Mnangagwa described the late Cde Manyonda as a fearless cadre who dedicated his time to the liberation of Zimbabwe.

“Like peers, Cde Manyonda suffered harassment and incarceration at the hands of the colonial authorities, but without ever giving up or abandoning the cause. He thus stands in national annals as a symbol of fearless fortitude and unwavering commitment,” said President Mnangagwa.

President Mnangagwa pronounced that after independence, Cde Manyonda served his country diligently, including in the higher office of Minister of Government after his appointment as Deputy Minister and, later as Governor of Manicaland Province.

According to President Mnangagwa, Cde Manyonda served the community of Buhera West as a Member of Parliament and introduced the rural livestock upgrading programme before the Land Reform Programme.

The President further said that Cde Manyonda also pioneered the commercial brick-making projects in Mutare.

“Later, he would pioneer commercial brick-making projects in Mutare thus anticipating the rapid construction thrust which comes with urbanization we now witness across the country. He had this knack for living and investing ahead of his times,” said the President.

Cde Manyonda, who was now Chief Nerutanga, died last Wednesday after a long illness.