Former Cabinet Minister Chenhamo Chimutengwende di...

Former Cabinet Minister Chenhamo Chimutengwende dies

Zim Now Writer

Former Zimbabwe cabinet Minister Chen Chakezha Chimutengwende has died. He was 81. The cause of his death is yet to be disclosed.

His death was confirmed by Mashonaland Central Minister for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Christopher Gomo, while exiled former Minister Savior Kasukuwere wrote on his X account:

“Chenhamo Chedu ‘Chazorora’ Chimutengwende ... He came, he saw and he conquered. You played your part in the struggle and development of your country. RIP Mhofu. Chiweshe was Chen. RIP Muzukuru.”

Chimutengwende served in the First Republic as the Minister in the Information, Environment and Tourism portfolios. A former politburo member of Zanu PF, he is also a past chairman of the Zimbabwe Foundation for Sustainable Development.

His political resume dates back to 1957 when, at the age of 14, he joined Zanu PF, rising to the position of secretary for Information and Publicity in the Youth League at age 17 in 1963.

He did his military training in Ghana in 1964.

While living in exile in London, England, at the time of the liberation struggle, he directed the Europe-Africa Research Project from a basement in Gower Street.

The former Minister attained a Master's degree in Social Science and a PhD from the University of Bradford, writing a doctoral thesis on "Mass Media and the State in the Socio-Economic Development Process".

He penned a book “South Africa: The Press and the Politics of Liberation” published by Barbican Books, London, in 1978.

After independence he became the Zanu PF provincial chairperson in 1986 for Mashonaland Central, a position he held for 17 years, succeeded by his appointment to a cabinet post.