The Sunday News
Vusumuzi Dube Sunday News Reporter
ZANU-PF Secretary for the Disabled and Disadvantaged Persons Cde Joshua Malinga yesterday mourned the death of the Special Disability Advisor in the Office of the President, Retired Brigadier-General Dr Felix Muchemwa who died in Egypt last Sunday. Dr Muchemwa (pictured), a decorated war veteran and former Minister of Health, succumbed to cancer in Egypt where he was receiving treatment. He was 71. He has been declared a National Hero and will be buried at the National Heroes Acre in Harare today.
Cde Malinga said he was “terribly” saddened by the death of Dr Muchemwa whom he said fought tirelessly for the rights of persons with disabilities.
“Given his appointment, we met a lot of times particularly discussing issues to do with disability. I particularly appreciate the role and leadership he provided during the constitution making process on matters affecting the disabled,” said Cde Malinga.
“He spoke with authority and knowledge and all the celebrations we have in the constitution are credited to him. The community of people with disabilities is poorer without him.”
Added Cde Malinga: “I wish to convey my sincere condolences to President Mugabe, the First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe, the entire Zanu-PF leadership and Dr Muchemwa’s family for this huge loss.”
The National Council of Disabled Persons of Zimbabwe (NCDPZ) president, Dr Obadiah Moyo, said he was saddened by Dr Muchemwa’s death who became part of the struggle for the advancement of the rights of persons with disabilities. He said Dr Muchemwa displayed a deep sense of dedication to the need for promoting disability inclusive development in Zimbabwe.
“The introduction and hosting of the annual Disability Expo owes its existence to some of the various ideas he had for bringing to the attention of the President and Cabinet, the aspirations of persons with disabilities in Zimbabwe,” said Dr Moyo.
“Dr Muchemwa has left a mark in the disability movement in our country and the only way to honour his legacy is to continue the work he started. As a decorated freedom fighter and politician, he remains the only such high ranking liberation struggle icon to embrace disability as a development issue.”
Dr Moyo said in recognition of the disability cause, Dr Muchemwa advocated for the repeal of the outdated 1992 Disabled Persons Act. He called on Parliament to domesticate the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) for the enhancement of the rights of persons with disabilities in Zimbabwe.
Dr Moyo paid tribute to Dr Muchemwa’s family, President Mugabe and development agencies for the support rendered to Dr Muchemwa in his execution of duty. Dr Muchemwa was born in Mhondoro on April 22, 1945.
