By A Correspondent- Michael Theodore Hayes Auret, the former MP for the MDC for Harare Central in the early 2000s, has died.

Auret died this Friday morning in the United Kingdom where he was now living.

Mike Auret joined the MDC then led by Morgan Tsvangirai at its formation in 1999, after having been part of the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) which unearthed atrocities committed during the Gukurahundi in the early 1980s.

Writing on social media, MDC Senator David Coltart, who worked with Auret in the CCJP, described the late as a devout Catholic and human rights activist who fearlessly stood for justice.

“I am deeply saddened to hear that Mike Auret died this morning in Ireland. Mike was one of the most inspirational figures in my life. It was Mike who engaged me as a young lawyer in December 1983 to record statements from Gukurahundi victims and we worked closely together on the Breaking the Silence Report published in 1997.

“We both were elected as MDC MPs in 2000.

“Mike was one of the true heroes of Zimbabwe . His consistent battle over many decades to promote human rights both in Rhodesia and Zimbabwe is unparalleled. He was a man of the utmost integrity and courage – a fearless man who always spoke up for what he knew to be right. He was also a compassionate man with a lovely warm sense of humour.

“I will deeply miss Mike even though he hasn’t lived in Zimbabwe for many years. My deepest condolences are extended to Diana and the entire family.”

Mike Auret Jnr, the deceased’s son, said his dad lived a long life filled with great compassion, activism, meaning, wisdom and above all – with such great love.

“The passing of our Father on Good Friday. A light that shone so brightly with the humility and gentleness of the Saints he so faithfully followed, has finally dimmed.

“Our much-loved husband, father, grandfather, uncle and brother has gone forward to light the way for us in the dark journey ahead. While our hearts are torn asunder as we face the devastation of his leaving, we celebrate a life lived with such great compassion, activism, meaning, wisdom and above all – with such great love.

“Dad was never just ours. We shared him with the Zimbabwe he so loved and fought all his life for, and ultimately with all those whose lives he touched and raised up through the power of his love.

“Michael Theodore Hayes Auret was meant to be a catholic priest until he met our mum, Diana, and everything changed. Catholicism, his heroes, Pope John Paul II, Pope Francis and Father Patrick Galvin were the inspiration for his transition from young white farmer trying to make sense of the Rhodesian Civil War to human rights activist.-Online