HARARE – MPs and peers have paid tribute to Mwenezi East Zanu PF MP Joshua Moyo, who died in his constituency on Thursday last week.
Moyo died at Masvingo General Hospital where he was undergoing treatment.
Parliament, which was in recess, was recalled on December 23 to remember Moyo, who was described as “perfect” by his family.
Several Zanu PF politicians also attended his burial in Mwenezi on Monday.
Mabel Chinomona, the deputy speaker of the National Assembly, said Parliament had gathered on Friday in heartbreaking sadness but also in heartfelt solidarity.
“It is with profound sorrow that I have to inform the House of the death of honourable Joshua Moyo, Member of Parliament for Mwenezi East Constituency on Thursday, 22nd December, 2016.
“I invite honourable members to rise and observe a minute of silence in respect of the late honourable member,” Chinomona said during a brief sitting on Friday.
In tributes, legislators said Moyo had “outstanding qualities… he was caring, eloquent, principled and wise” and that he appealed for “a kinder and gentler politics”, adding politicians had a responsibility “not to whip up hatred or sow division”.
Moyo replaced Kudakwashe Bhasikiti in a July 2015 by-election, after Bhasikiti was expelled from the ruling party and subsequently from Parliament for his links with Zimbabwe People First leader Joice Mujuru.
He was buried in Mwenezi on Monday in a send-off attended by Zanu PF provincial chairman Amasi Nenjana, Zanu PF chief whip Lovemore Matuke, Zaka West Zanu PF MP Ricky Mawere, Chivi South MP Mafios Utete, Mwenezi West MP Lamson Matavire, Masvingo West legislator Ezra Chadzamira, Major Moyo and Colonel Hungwe, members of the president’s office, chiefs Neshuro, Negari and Chitanga, district chairpersons, war vets and provincial leaders.
Speaker after speaker said Moyo had spent his life serving and campaigning “for other people” — in his constituency — both in his charity work and as an MP.
Many called his death “an attack on democracy and our whole country has been shocked and saddened by it… and was united in grief”.
He is survived by seven children — six girls and one boy.
-Dailynews