By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) Makoni District Elections Officer, Mr Joel Mugwagwa Mutambiranwa (61) has died.

Mr Mutambiranwa succumbed to prostate cancer and was buried at Silverbow Cemetery in Rusape on Monday.

He was described by colleagues and stakeholders as a professional and astute leader who will not be easily replaced.

Mr Mutambiranwa earned respect across the political divide for his professional conduct during elections.

Family spokesperson and young brother, Mr Mupfururi Mutambiranwa, said the family was robbed of a unifier, counselor and a mentor who was God-fearing.

“Joel passed on Sunday at his Tikwiri plot. He had been battling prostate cancer since 2018. He went for an operation at Karanda Mission Hospital and we thought he would recover, but God had other plans. He has left behind a wife and three children,” said Mr Mutambiranwa.

Mr Mutambiranwa was born in 1959 and trained as teacher at United College in Bulawayo.

He later acquired a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Zimbabwe.

He taught at Mavhudzi High School before being promoted to be a headmaster at Mugoti Secondary School in Makoni North.

He later moved to Chiundu High School before being promoted to be an Education Officer in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.

He later moved to ZEC as the district head.

-ManicaPost