Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
THE former Mayor of Masvingo Alderman Fermius Chakabuda has died. He was 64. Ald Chakabuda collapsed at his home in Morningside suburb yesterday morning after which he was rushed to Dr Makurira Clinic where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Ald Chakabuda was the former MDC-T Ward 5 councillor and a senior official in the party.
He was councillor for a period of 18 years both under Zanu PF and MDC before becoming deputy mayor and later mayor from 2008 until 2013.
Masvingo Mayor Clr Hubert Fidze said Ald Chakabuda collapsed while bathing and was rushed to hospital where he died upon arrival.
“He woke up around 6AM and indicated to his wife that he was taking a bath. While taking a bath, he collapsed and after realising that he had taken long, the wife got into the bathroom only to find him collapsed,” said Clr Fidze.
He said council would assist with burial arrangements as part of their obligation to all former councillors.
“It’s sad we’ve lost one of the think-tanks in Masvingo. I used to get guidance from Ald Chakabuda and now he has gone, I don’t know what to do. Council will assist with cash,” he said.
A well-known figure in local governance, Ald Chakabuda was the president of United Councils Association of Zimbabwe (UCAZ) during the time he was Masvingo mayor.
He left the country in 1972 for Sierra Leone where he started his political career by recruiting youths to fight in the war of liberation back home. While in the West African country, Ald Chakabuda studied for a Bachelor of Accountancy Degree.
From 1996 to 2000, he was a Zanu PF councillor before joining the then MDC in 2002 where he was provincial secretary and later treasurer.
Mourners are gathered at his home in Morningside suburb.
Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced.