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Lovemore Mataire Senior Reporter
Environment, Water and Climate Deputy Minister Simon Kundayi Musanhu (47), who died on Thursday, has been accorded a State-assisted funeral. He will be buried today at Glen Forest Memorial Park. Acting President Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa announced the decision yesterday when he visited the Musanhu family in Greystone Park, Harare, to pay his condolences.

He said the death of the Deputy Minister shocked him.

Cde Mnangagwa said he consulted President Mugabe, who is still on his annual leave, about the death of Cde Musanhu and was instructed that Government accords him a State-assisted funeral given his invaluable contribution to the country.

“I got to know Cde Musanhu more in Parliament where I am the Zanu-PF leader of the House. He is the generation of young cadres that we have in parliament. We are gratified when we see young cadres like Simon entering Parliament because we know they will follow our footsteps. The cadres are educated, they have skills that we need,” said Cde Mnangagwa.

The Acting President consoled the Musanhu family saying death was inevitable as only God was the giver and taker of life.

“Asi anotonga rufu haasi pakati pedu, deno aiva pakati pedu taitsvaka vamwe vanomubriber. Zvino haapo pakati pedu, saka nepaano gara hameno vanoziva paanogara ini handipazivi, hameno makristu. Saka hakuna zvatingaita kana achinge atonga zvaanenge atonga.

“Ndiye akati panyika ngapave nerufu, kuda ndiyezve achakwanisa kuti rufu ruchiguma. Asi pakati pedu tese hapana angarambidza rufu.”

The Acting President said Cde Musanhu was a diligent and hard-working young cadre whose contribution to the nation saw him being appointed Deputy Minister.

He said Government was embracing a new approach which needed technocrats to spearhead government policies.

“This is the new crop of cadres that we need who have technical skills that we need in Government. Very bright young people we have…. Tinoshuwira kuti munin’ina wedu uyu atambigwe naJehovha, ngaamunzwirewo tsitsi.”

The deceased’s father Mr Artwell Musanhu said he was still in a state of shock over the death of his son.

“I do not know what to do with my life because he is the son who was taking care of me and the whole family. The family had two legs but now we are left with one leg. Who is going bury me now?” said Mr Musanhu.

Other dignitaries that visited the Musanhu family to pay condolences include Minister of Environment, Water and Climate who is also the Zanu-PF National Commissar Cde Saviour Kasukuwere, Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing and Zanu-PF secretary for administration Cde Ignatius Chombo, Defence Forces commander Gen Constantine Chiwenga, Senate President Edna Madzongwe and Minister of State for Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs Cde Joel Biggie Matiza.

Cde Musanhu is survived by his wife Emma and two children-Dadiso (12) and Simbarashe (10).