Professor John Makumbe , the highly respected University of Zimbabwe (UZ) Professor and fierce critic of President Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF, has died at 64.

Makumbe had intended to  contest as an MDC-T candidate for the Buhera West constituency in the next elections.He  collapsed on Saturday  due to a suspected heart attack  and  passed away  at Arcadia Medical Center in Harare,A senior MDC-T official confirmed

MDC-T spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora described Makumbe’s death as a huge blow to the party which two weeks ago lost another icon, Professor Gordon Chavunduka, who was chairperson of the party’s guardian council.

NewsDay witnessed Makumbe’s body being taken from the health institution to a private funeral parlour in the city around midday, with family members, the late Makumbe’s workmate Professor Lovemore Madhuku and top MDC-T officials, including Matinenga, present.

Matinenga, who spoke on behalf of the family, said Makumbe had suffered a similar coronary attack last week and was briefly admitted at a local hospital.

“He had a history of heart problems,” Matinenga said. “He was admitted last week and I saw him on Thursday when he was discharged. I also saw him yesterday (Saturday), he was in good spirits. I am shocked.”

By UP