VICE President John Landa Nkomo has died. He was 79.

Family spokesperson Mr Samuel Sipepa Nkomo, who is also the Minister of Water Resources and Development, said VP Nkomo succumbed to cancer this morning at St Annes Hospital in Harare. He said VP Nkomo had been admitted at the hospital yesterday when his condition deteriorated.

• President mourns Nkomo

Zanu-PF National Chairman Cde Simon Khaya Moyo confirmed the development as well but said President Mugabe was expected to issue an official announcement soon.

VP Nkomo had been battling cancer for sometime.

John Nkomo Factfile
Founding member of the African National Congress between 1958 and 1959.
Joined the National Democratic Party in 1960 before joining the Zimbabwe African People’s Union in 1961.

Arrested on several occasions by the Smith regime and detained at Gonakudzingwa in 1966-68.
Joined the African National Council where he was deputy secretary-general in 1971.
Attended the Geneva Conference as part of as part of the Zimbabwe African People’s Party (Zapu) delegation that was led by the late Vice President Joshua Nkomo in 1976.

Was seriously injured in a parcel bomb that killed Cde Jason Ziyapapa Moyo in 1977.
After the country gained independence in 1980, he became Member of Parliament for Matabeleland North between 1980 and 1985.
Served as Deputy Minister of Industry and Energy in 1981

Was Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s office responsible to the Deputy Prime Minister from 1982-84.
Became Member of Parliament for Tsholotsho between 1985 and 1990.
Was appointed Minister of Labour, Manpower Planning and Social Welfare from 1988 to 1995.

Served as MP for Bulawayo North between 1990 and 1995.
Was re-elected legislator for Bulawayo North from 1995 to 2000.
Was Minister of Local Government and Rural Development in 1995 before being appointed Minister of Local Government and National Housing in 1997.

Between 2000 and 2001, he was Minister of Home Affairs.
In 2002, he was appointed Minister of State in the President’s Office Responsible for Special Affairs.
He became Speaker of the Parliament in 2005 up to 2008.

Nkomo was appointed Minister of State in the President’s Office responsible for National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration, 2009 after the inception of the Inclusive Government.
He was appointed Vice President in December 14, 2009.