Shamuyarira retired from active politics in 2010 due to deteriorating health.
At that time, he was ZANU-PF’s Secretary for Information, a position now held by Rugare Gumbo.
Since reports of his ill-health in 2010 Shamhuyarira has barely been seen in public, including at State functions.
On Monday, Shamuyarira, who now walks with a stoop, moved around with the aid of a walking stick and had difficulties in finding his way to the podium.
At one time, he had to be assisted by the burly Saviour Kasukuwere, the Youth and Indigenisation Minister, to make his way down the stairs as mourners headed to the grave site where Mudenge’s body was laid to rest.
Shamuyarira was born in September 1928.
In October 2006 Shamuyarira, making reference to the Gukurahundi massacres of the 1980s, sparked outrage when he said that "actions of the North Korea-trained Five Brigade that killed around 3000 civilians and militants in the Matabeleland and Midlands provinces during political disturbances in the 1980s were not regrettable as [the Five Brigade was] doing a job to protect the people”.
He later said his comments were taken out of context, but refused to swallow his words.
Post published in: News