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Sukoluhle Ndlovu Midlands Correspondent
MIDLANDS State University (MSU) acting director in the Press and Publication Department Dr Samson Rwadzi Mhlahlo, has died. Dr Mhlahlo (70) collapsed at his home in Southdowns, Gweru, on Sunday. MSU director of Information and Public Relations Mrs Mirirai Mawere confirmed the death of Dr Mhlahlo in a statement to the media. “Dr Mhlahlo collapsed on Sunday 19 November 2017 and passed away the same day,” she said. “A church service will be held on Thursday 23 November at 9am at the Gweru Central Methodist Church in Zimbabwe and burial will be held the same day at 12pm at Mtapa Cemetery in Gweru.”

Dr Mhlahlo joined MSU on March 1, 2000 as the acting chairperson in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies. He was appointed as a proctor from January 2005 to December 2005.

Dr Mhlahlo was later appointed as a substantive chairperson in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies in 2005. In 2010, Dr Mhlahlo was appointed Deputy Dean in the Faculty of Social Sciences. He rose to the position of Acting Dean in March 2013 and was later confirmed as the Executive Dean. Dr Mhlahlo was the Acting Director in the Press and Publications Department from January this year until the time of his death. He was born in Gweru on Christmas Day in 1947.

Dr Mhlahlo graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree Geography at Southlands College, University of London, in 1978. He went on to graduate with a Masters degree in Geography in 1997 from the University College, University of London. In 2011, he graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Midlands State University.

Last month, MSU lost its deputy registrar Mr Benjamin Musekiwa Taguta who died after a short illness in Mutare.