Former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa has paid tribute to the party’s Harare senator Murisi Zwizwai, who died yesterday after a short illness.
Zwizwai was a founding member of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and a senior official in the united CCC.
He was the Member of the National Assembly for Harare Central first elected in 2003 and served the constituency until last year.
He did not participate in last year’s harmonised elections, but was recently nominated to the Senate by CCC self-proclaimed secretary general Sengezo Tshabangu.
Political leaders from across the divide described his death as unexpected.
“(I) have learnt with deep sadness the passing of Hon Murisi Zwizwai in the early hours of this morning,” Chamisa posted on X yesterday.
“We worked together from the early days of the struggle for change and freedom in Zimbabwe.
"He was affable, jocular, generous and jovial. My prayers are with the family and friends. RIP Murambwi."
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A spokesperson for a CCC faction Promise Mkwananzi, said Zwizwai was dedicated to the cause of change since the MDC's formation in 1999.
“We are very saddened with the death of Champion Murisi Zwizwai, one of our long-standing and long-serving church stalwarts,” Mkwananzi said.
“The party and the democratic movement at large have lost a cadre. Our prayers are with the family, the friends, and the members of the party.
“Whatever differences he may have encountered with us lately cannot diminish his illustrious and selfless contribution to change since the formation of MDC in 1999.”
Harare mayor and spokesperson of the faction led by Welshman Ncube, Jacob Mafume said Zwizwai was a key organiser for the opposition.
“It is so sad that he has passed away, it was unexpected. He had just been sworn in to the Senate and he has been a legislator for Harare province for a very long time,” Mafume said.
“He was a key organiser for the party for a very long time, he was energetic, fearless and a confidante for the late Morgan Tsvangirai.
“He became a deputy minister during the inclusive government, so he has exercised public life. So this is a great loss to the nation and the democratic movement.”
