HARARE – Zimbabwe’s longest serving Speaker of Zimbabwe’s Parliament, Austin Zvoma has died, family members have said.
He was 74.
His son, broadcaster Ian Zvoma confirmed the death of his father on X (formerly Twitter).
“Rest in peace Chikonamombe. Our last conversation was about Liverpool and Manchester United. The one thing we never agreed on. You fought a good fight and the Zvoma clan will miss you dearly. They will remember the name Austin Zvoma,” he posted.
Family spokesperson Godwin Chigwedere said Zvoma lost a long and terrible battle with lung cancer at around 11PM Saturday.
Former finance minister Tendai Biti said: “We had lots of differences and big fights but he was a true professional loyal to parliament and his duties. A colorful character with unparalleled knowledge of Parliament’s Standing Orders.”
Zvoma was the Clerk of Parliament from 1989 until his retirement in 2014.
He joined parliament as a Committee Clerk before rising through the ranks to become the Clerk in 1989 until his retirement in 2014 after serving the institution for 25 years.
Last year, Zvoma was linked to the formation of a Zanu PF affiliate organisation, Zimbabwe Pensioners Welfare Trust for Economic Development which went on to campaign for President Emmerson Mnangagwa in preparation for last months polls.
