Zimbabwe is mourning the loss of Chenhamo Chakezha Chimutengwende, a prominent figure in the country’s political landscape who passed away on 16 January 2025 at the age of 81.
The news was confirmed by several sources, including Zanu PF officials and family members. His death marks the end of a long and impactful career in Zimbabwean politics.
The passing of Chimutengwende was announced by Zanu PF Mashonaland Central chairman, Kazembe Kazembe, who described it as a significant loss for the people of Mazowe, Mashonaland Central province, and the nation as a whole.
“I heard the news of the passing on of Cde Chimutengwende from a family member. It is a big loss for the people of Mazowe, the province and the entire nation,” Kazembe stated.
He lauded Chimutengwende’s unifying influence in Mazowe, calling him “a pillar, a uniting force, who did great in Mazowe, the province and the nation.”
Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs and Devolution minister Christopher Magomo also confirmed the death, with the news circulating widely through Zanu PF WhatsApp groups.
Tributes poured in from various quarters, including exiled former Cabinet minister Saviour Kasukuwere, who tweeted: “Chenhamo Chedu ‘Chazorora’ Chimutengwende … He came, he saw and he conquered. You played your part in the struggle and development of your country. RIP Mhofu. Chiweshe was Chen. RIP Muzukuru.”
Chimutengwende’s career spanned several decades, encompassing a range of influential positions. He served as Information minister and Environment and Tourism minister, and his final cabinet post was as Minister of State for Public and Interactive Affairs.
His political career also included serving as a Mashonaland Central senator and a Member of Parliament for both Mazowe East and Mazowe Central. He also held the position of Mashonaland Central Zanu PF provincial chairman and politburo member. His 23-year career as a Member of Parliament ended in the 2008 general election.
Kazembe Kazembe highlighted Chimutengwende’s extensive legislative experience and his contributions to development projects in Mazowe. “He was probably the longest serving legislator in the province after serving for more than 20 years. He also served as a senator for one or two terms. He did a lot of work in Mazowe, from building schools and spearheading tarring of roads, particularly the road from Glendale to Bare,” Kazembe said.
Chimutengwende’s son, Tawanda, revealed that his father succumbed to chronic kidney disease. His life was marked not only by his political career but also by his academic achievements and his contributions to intellectual discourse.
Born on 28 August 1943, Chimutengwende’s early life involved a period of exile in London during the 1960s and 1970s. There, he directed the Europe-Africa Research Project and was a member of the editorial board of Red Mole, a publication associated with the International Marxist Group. His commitment to Mao Zedong’s China led him to resign from the editorial board following criticism of Mao’s policies concerning the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
He later pursued higher education, earning a Master’s degree in Social Science and a PhD from the University of Bradford. His doctoral thesis, “Mass Media and the State in the Socio-Economic Development Process,” reflects his keen interest in the interplay between media, politics, and societal development.
He is also the author of the book South Africa: The Press and the Politics of Liberation. After graduating, he returned to Zimbabwe and became a Zanu PF MP for Mazowe in 1985, beginning a 25-year tenure as a lawmaker, including 14 years as a cabinet minister. He also served as a senator, deputy president of the Senate, and head of the Zimbabwean delegation to the Pan-African Parliament (PAP).
From 2005 onwards, Chimutengwende was included on the United States sanctions list. His death, at the age of 81, concludes a life deeply entwined with Zimbabwean politics, academia, and international affairs. His legacy will be remembered through his political contributions, his academic work, and the impact he had on the lives of many Zimbabweans.
