Senator’s death described as huge blow to the nation
Story by Tamuka Charakupa
SENATOR Chief Makumbe, who died last week on Tuesday in Harare, has been buried at his homestead in Buhera.
Hundreds of mourners gathered in Buhera this Wednesday to bid farewell to the late Chief Makumbe who died in Harare last week.
Senior government officials, traditional leaders, family and friends described the death of the late Chief Makumbe as a blow to national and community development.
“He was a pillar of the family, a father to all. He served his community well and spearheaded a lot of developmental projects in Buhera. He fought hard and lobbied for the completion of the Marovanyati Dam to push for irrigation in the dry region. His contribution to the family and country is replaceable,” said Chief Makumbe’s brother, Mr Norman Chengeta.
President of the National Council of Chiefs, Senator Chief Mtshane Khumalo said, “As the President of the National Council of Chiefs I am humbled by the huge attendance on this sad occasion as we join hands in mourning one of our own. We have over 45 chiefs at this event which is a reflection of his contribution and influence in traditional leadership circles. We have been robbed of a development-oriented leader who also spoke highly against child marriages and drug abuse.”
“Chief Makumbe advocated so hard for the failure or disapproval of the proposed Marriages Act Amendment which he strongly believed was against our traditional values as Zimbabweans. He was active in our forums at the National Chiefs Council and in the Senate. His death is a blow to the nation as he always cherished development issues,” said National Council of Chiefs Vice President, Senator Chief Fortune Charumbira.
“Today we are burying a true leader. This is a loss to the Manicaland Province. He was a hands-on leader who believed in solving problems and probing development issues. We want to thank our President Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa for improving the welfare of traditional leadership. We are however appealing to the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works to fast-track the appointment of outstanding traditional leadership posts,” said Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza.
ZANU PF Politburo member, Cde Patrick Chinamasa said, “He was a leader in this right, a unifyer and a development champion. The late Chief was a visionary leader who spearheaded meaningful and coordinated development in his area of jurisdiction despite having other commitments outside his operational area. He was a custodian of his culture despite being educated, he ensured the preservation of the black identities.”
Chief mourner, Senate President Mable Chinomona spoke on the influence Chief Makumbe had in the upper house of parliament and his desire to promote development in the country.
“The late Chief was instrumental in spearheading Government programs to a prosperous and empowered middle-income economy through leading his subjects and facilitating socio-economic developmental initiatives within the area. Chief Makumbe spearheaded the construction of Marovanyati dam one of the various water infrastructure development projects that the government was financing to help improve water availability for both irrigation and domestic use in Buhera District,” she said.
Chief Makumbe was born Shepherd Chengeta on the 6th of February 1966 in Manyonda Village in Buhera District.
He was appointed as substantive Chief in November 2017 and was the ninth in the Makumbe chieftainship.
In 2018, he was elected Senator for Buhera and retained the senatorial position after the August 2023 general elections.
Chief Makumbe was a member of the National Council of Chiefs and also chaired the Manicaland Provincial Assembly of Chiefs.
The late traditional leader is survived with seven children, 4 girls and 3 boys.
