Kwekwe Central MP Masango Matambanadzo, affectionately known as Blackman, has died. He was 56.
Matambanadzo was a former member of Zanu PF who defected to the opposition National Patriotic Front ahead of the 2018 elections after falling out with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s allies in Kwekwe.
Matambanadzo popularly known as Blackman, died at his Amaveni home on Tuesday morning.
Jealousy Mawarire, the NPF spokesperson confirmed Matambanadzo’s death.
“I am just receiving very sad news that NPF legislator, our only MP, Hon Masango Matambanadzo is no more. Very sad day for us as a party and as a country. The party will issue a full statement later,” he said
Also his aide, Ms Angela Nyathi confirmed the death although she could not be drawn into saying any finer details.
“I can confirm the death of Hon Matambanadzo. He died at his home on Tuesday morning,” she said.
A free-spirited legislator popular for his hands on and engagement approach, Blackman was in and out of the hospital since late last year.
In December 2019, he was flown to China for treatment due to suspected food poisoning from his Zanu PF enemies.
Although not fully fit, Matambanadzo would earlier this year reappear in parliament.
Born in Hurungwe in 1964, Blackman attended the Chitepo School of Ideology was first elected MP for Kwekwe in 2013 on a Zanu PF ticket.
He was expelled from the ruling party Zanu PF in 2017 on charges of belonging to the G40 faction.
In 2018, he went on to stand as candidate for the National Patriotic Front (NPF) for Kwekwe Central and won. He was the only NPF MP in Parliament.
A self-confessed Grade Two dropout, Mr Matambanadzo once said he owed his win to the Kwekwe community for helping him trounce even highly educated people who were eyeing the same seat. “I was contesting against renowned lawyers, church bishops who are always praying for themselves and their congregants. God is amazing, I owe this to the people of Kwekwe,” he said.
