Patel died in South Africa where he was rushed for treatment after he fell and fractured his skull and hipbone in his Ridgeview home on August 25.
He was first admitted to the Avenues Clinic in Harare before he was Flown to SA. He passed away on Saturday morning.
Harare province chairman for the party, Amos Midzi said they had recommended that he be conferred with national hero status. The Politburo was scheduled to sit on Tuesday to make the decision.
But his family wants him cremated and his ash buried at his home, some back to India and some buried at the Heroes Acre, if he is conferred with the status.
Patel came to Zimbabwe in 1961and worked with the NDP and Zapu parties. He offered solidarity to radical black students fighting the settler regime.
In 1981 he was elected into the Zanu-PF district executive committee of the Harare Central branch.
He rose through the ranks to become a Politburo member.
Mourners are gathered at Number 31 Anison Drive, Ridgeview. He is survived by three children and seven grandchildren. His wife died in 1973.
Post published in: News