President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday offered his condolences to the Mohadi family following the death of Steven Dugish Mohadi, brother to Vice President Kembo Mohadi.

Mohadi (58), a war veteran and a former Zimbabwe National Army officer, died on Saturday at Trauma Centre Hospital in Borrowdale, Harare after some illness.

He is survived by his wife Emma, six children and five grandchildren.

Burial arrangements are yet to be announced.

President Mnangagwa, accompanied by VP Constantino Chiwenga, visited the Mohadi family home and offered a State-assisted funeral to the Mohadi family.

The head of State consoled the family, encouraging them to be strong during the bereavement.

“I know you are going through a difficult time where you lost a family member at a time when VP Mohadi is in hospital.

“Some members are looking after VP Mohadi in South Africa, while others are attending the funeral here. You have to be strong during these trying times.

“As comrades, we console each other. We assist each other in times of trouble.

“Therefore, we have offered to assist the family during the funeral and burial of Cde Mohadi,” he said.

He also offered to assist the family left behind.

The President said he had to stop VP Mohadi, who is still receiving treatment in South Africa, from coming to mourn his brother as a way of allowing him to recover.

“We had to stop him from coming. Since the late Steven is also our brother, we decided to assist him from this end while he recovers,” he said.

Family spokesperson Mrs Patience Nleya described the death as a blow to the Mohadi family.

Mrs Nleya said Mohadi left for war at the age of 15.

“VP Mohadi and his two brothers crossed the border for military training during the war period.

“The late Mohadi made the sacrifice at the age of 15. Out of the three brothers, only Steven and Kembo came back while the other one died there,” she said.