(Last Updated on January 28, 2013 by Editor)
ZIMBABWE – University of Zimbabwe lecturer Professor John Makumbe, who died in Harare on Saturday, will be buried at his rural home in Buhera Wednesday.
MDCT spokesperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora said Prof Makumbe’s body would be ferried to Buhera today. Prof Makumbe had declared his interest to stand in Buhera West constituency on an MDCT ticket in elections expected this year.
MDCT leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai would attend the burial. “His body will lie in state at his Chadcombe house tonight and tomorrow (today) around 1pm, it will be taken to his rural home in Buhera for burial on Wednesday,” he said.
Mavambo Kusile/Dawn president Simba Makoni said in a statement yesterday that Prof Makumbe contributed immensely towards the development and growth of education in Zimbabwe.
“We learnt with shock and sadness of the sudden death of renowned academic, Professor John Makumbe,” said the party.
“On behalf of the national management committee (NMC), and all members of Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn (M.K.D), Mrs. Makoni and I extend our heartfelt condolences to the Makumbe family and to MDCT, on the sad and untimely death of John Makumbe.
“As a lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe, Prof Makumbe contributed towards education and training of many young Zimbabweans.
“As a political commentator, chairperson of Transparency International (TI) Zimbabwe and activist in civil society organisations, he contributed immensely towards the growth and deepening of democracy, eradication of corruption and defence of human rights.”
The US Embassy said in a statement that Prof Makumbe influenced a generation of Zimbabwean students of political science and helped to shape and inform public discourse.
“The Embassy of the United States of America expresses its condolences to the family and the people of Zimbabwe on the death of Professor John Makumbe, a prominent political analyst and academic who consistently provided thoughtful and balanced insights,” said the embassy.
“In addition, he was a compassionate advocate for the rights of the disabled, in particular the albino community. The loss of his contributions to these fields will leave a notable void.”
Prof Makumbe died after collapsing at his home on Saturday morning. He had a history of heart problems and he was recently admitted to the Avenues Clinic suffering from the problem. Prof Makumbe is survived by his wife Virginia and three children.