MDC MP John Nyamande dies in car crash

By Tichaona Sibanda
9 November 2009

The MDC MP for Makoni central in Manicaland province, John Nyamande, died in a horrific car crash on Saturday near Ruwa, that left his Isuzu KB vehicle a mangled wreck.

The 57 year-old Nyamande is believed to have been killed instantly when his car collided with a stationary broken down truck, that was partially parked off the Harare-Marondera highway. Hebson Makuvise, a close friend of the late MP, said the incident occurred just after 2 am on Saturday.

Makuvise, Zimbabwe’s ambassador designate to Germany described Nyamande’s car as a ‘terrible mess.’ He said police who attended the scene of the accident told them the MP died after suffering multiple broken bones as well as severe head and chest injuries.

Nyamande, a regular guest on SW Radio Africa’s Rebuilding Zimbabwe programme, was driving back to Harare after visiting his constituency in Rusape. It had become routine that each Friday he would visit his constituents.

On Sunday night Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai expressed his deep shock over the death of Nyamande, calling it ‘an irreparable loss’ for the party and the country.

His sudden death drew condolences from parties and fellow politicians across the spectrum. ‘The nation has lost a wise politician. It has caused a huge vacuum, especially in our province of Manicaland,’ MDC MP Pishai Muchauraya said.
The late Nyamande is regarded as ‘political hero’ by many MDC activists for his bold decision to return home at the height of political violence and stand as an MP. He had been based in the UK for close to eight years.
He campaigned for a parliamentary seat under the MDC-T ticket, in which he beat ZANU PF Minister Patrick Chinamasa, who also happens to be his cousin. Nyamande leaves behind a wife and five children. He will be buried on Thursday at St Killians in Rusape.