Conrad Mupesa Mashonaland West Bureau
THE death of Zanu PF Central Committee member and former Muzvezve constituency legislator, Cde Peter Haritatos, has been described as a huge blow to Mashonaland West political leadership.

Cde Haritatos (77) was father to Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement Deputy Minister Vangelis Haritatos.
He succumbed to Covid-19-related complications at St Annes Hospital in Harare on Saturday.

Zanu PF Politburo member and former Mashonaland West chairperson, who is also Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Cde Ziyambi Ziyambi, said the province had been robbed of a patriotic and faithful servant of the party.

‘Baba George’ as Cde Haritatos was affectionately known, stood by the cause of the liberation struggle.

“He started politics well before independence, being jailed for his support for the struggle,” said Cde Ziyambi. “He used to tell us how he was denied a place at Jameson High School for his secondary education and had to attend school at Rimuka High as he was not considered white by the British colonialists.”

Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland West, Mary Mliswa-Chikoka said: “Baba George was a truly unique individual of impeccable standing. His selfless dedication and commitment to community development and empowerment will be sorely missed.”

Zanu PF Sanyati district coordinating committee (DCC) chairperson and National Business Council of Zimbabwe president Cde Langton Mabhanga said Cde Haritatos was an epitome of ethical business practice around the mining town of Kadoma.

Family spokesperson, Mr Thomson Sanangurai, said burial arrangements will be available tomorrow. Cde Haritatos is survived by his wife Angella, three children and nine grandchildren.