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Zvamaida Murwira Senior Reporter
Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement Minister Perrance Shiri will be remembered for the astute and professional manner in which he responded to questions in the Chamber during Question and Answer time, Parliament said yesterday.

In an interview yesterday, Senate President Marble Chinomona said not only was Minister Shiri objective in responding to questions from members of the political divide, he also transformed the agriculture landscape in the country since assumption of his ministerial portfolio.

Cde Chinomona said Minister Shiri was conversant with agricultural issues such that he responded to questions from backbenchers with a lot of professionalism.

“He was the Leader of Government Business in Senate and treated everyone equally,” she said.

“He would respond to questions professionally and in a way that showed a lot of passion for agricultural issues. He would leave everyone satisfied with responses that he would give.

“He is one who would be counted on among the best ministers.

“He has worked tirelessly for this country before and after independence, he never rested.”

Cde Chinomona said Minister Shiri’s passion for agriculture was demonstrated by his dressing whenever he was conducting field visits, where he would put on a work suit.

Zanu PF Chief Whip, Cde Pupurai Togarepi, described Minister Shiri as professional in terms of attendance of Parliament sittings, response to questions and flexibility.

“Honourable Minister Shiri was one of the best and professional ministers that I have worked with,” he said.

“He was very good both in terms of attendance and flexible in dealing with issues, particularly questions from legislators.

“He was always ready with information that might have been asked by legislators. You could see his passion to deliver to the people of Zimbabwe judging from his commitment to agriculture.”

Cde Togarepi said Minister Shiri had trained his two deputies, Cdes Douglas Karoro and Vangelis Haritatos, and were able to deal decisively and convincingly with inquiries from MPs.

President of the Chiefs’ Council, Chief Fortune Charumbira, described Minister Shiri as a rare breed, saying his death had cast a dark cloud over the country.

“A rare breed of a liberation icon,” he said. “His zeal and determination to fight for justice and improved living conditions for the people of Zimbabwe never subsided after independence.

“As traditional leaders, we have lost a pillar. He was a true comrade who was serving the country with passion. He was results oriented. He is one minister who assisted us as an institution.”

Chief Charumbira cited the example of a recent High Court matter by a white farmer who wanted to evict Chief Chikwaka, as a case in point, in which Minister Shiri cancelled the white farmer’s offer letter and issued one to the Chief as ammunition in court.

“Chief Chikwaka is comfortably on the farm,” he said.

“The liberation and post independence reconstruction camouflage will always be incomplete without the personality and name of Retired Chief Air Marshal, Minister Perrance Shiri,” said Chief Charumbira.