FORMER Chiefs’ Council president Chief Jonathan Mangwende of Murewa has died.
REPORT BY STAFF REPORTER
Local Government deputy minister Joel Biggie Matiza told NewsDay that Chief Mangwende died in Pretoria, South Africa, yesterday.
“It is very disturbing news indeed. He passed on in Pretoria, South Africa, where he had gone for treatment. At the moment, the family is still handling repatriation of his body, then we will work out burial arrangements together,” Matiza said.
Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs minister Simbaneuta Mudarikwa also confirmed the sad news, saying: “We have been plunged into mourning. However, I cannot say much as I am heading to his residence to help in making arrangements needed.”
Born Jonathan Tafirenyika Chibanda, Chief Mangwende assumed the chieftainship in 1968 and became president of the Chiefs’ Council after independence before stepping down in 2005.
He was replaced by Chief Fortune Charumbira of Masvingo, who is the current head of the traditional leaders’ council.
