Liberation war fighter Pswarayi dies

FORMER freedom fighter and medical doctor Edward Munatsireyi Pswarayi has died. He was 88.

Feluna Nleya
Staff Reporter

Pswarayi died at his Beatrice farm on Sunday after being ill for some time.

Family spokesperson Nathaniel Pswarayi confirmed the death, adding that his uncle had been in and out of hospital since the beginning of the year.

“He passed on yesterday (Sunday) at his farm. He had been unwell for some time being in and out of hospital this year,” Nathaniel, who is also a medical
practitioner, said, adding that they had since requested that he be declared a national hero considering the role he played during and after the liberation war.

Zanu PF Harare provincial chairman Amos Midzi also confirmed the death, saying they were seized with the matter and would also forward their request to the party politburo for consideration.

“We are currently meeting over the issue of his death, you can call me after an hour for finer details,” Midzi said.

But Mudzi was unreachable until the time of going to print last night. Pswarayi worked together with several nationalists among them President Robert Mugabe, the late James Chikerema, Herbert Chitepo and Samuel Parirenyatwa.

He contributed to the struggle using his personal resources including his vehicle to transport the late then Zapu president Joshua Nkomo, among other liberation struggle icons.

Pswarayi was one of those who remained in Zimbabwe and as chairman of the People’s Movement, he was critical in the clandestine operational functions of Zanu.

His house in Mbare was raided in September 1978 by the Rhodesian security forces, leading to his arrest and detention at Chikurubi, Harare and Whawha prisons.

Pswarayi was released in 1979 and joined the Zanu PF delegation in London to draw the Lancaster House Constitution.

After independence, Pswarayi was elected Zanu PF MP for Mbare and served as Deputy Minister of Transport and later as Deputy Minister of Health.

He is survived by his wife Mabel, 19 children, 37 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

https://www.newsday.co.zw/2014/06/10/liberation-war-fighter-pswarayi-dies/