OUTSPOKEN veteran politician Alderman Charles Mpofu has died after succumbing to injuries sustained in a car accident on Saturday.
NQOBANI NDLOVU STAFF REPORTER
Mpofu, who had been on a life support system at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) following the accident, died on Sunday evening, his daughter Evidence Mpofu said. He was 54.
“It’s a huge loss for the family, the city and the nation as a whole because he was everyone’s father, mentor and brother. We are at a loss for words,” said Evidence sobbing.
According to Evidence, her father was knocked down by a sand poacher’s truck that was trying to avoid a head-on collision with a commuter omnibus in Emganwini high-density suburb.
Mpofu was in the suburb accompanying a family member for marriage rites.
“We understand that my father was hit by the truck when he was standing outside the car they were travelling in. They were waiting to be called in for the marriage rites,” she said.
She added that Mpofu was rushed to a 24-hour clinic in Nketa 6 and then transferred to UBH.
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He was admitted at UBH and X-ray tests showed that he had suffered broken ribs, among other injuries. His situation worsened on Sunday morning and he was put on a life support unit until he passed away on Sunday evening at around 10pm.
MDC leader Welshman Ncube said Mpofu would be sorely missed for his robust engagements.
Mpofu was fired from the MDC in September 2013.
“We valued his contribution in the devolution agenda during the time he was with the party, both as a member and as a parliamentary candidate for Nketa in the last general elections.
“We will miss his robust engagements in the democratic struggle. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this difficult time,” Ncube said yesterday.
Bulawayo mayor Martin Moyo said council had “learnt with sadness of the passing away of Mpofu”.
“His death has left a vacuum which the city will not be able to fill for many years to come,” he said.
“He was a gallant son of Bulawayo who played an important role in the development of the city and his comments on societal and developmental issues will be missed.
“His Worship the mayor, councillors of the City of Bulawayo, staff members and residents wish to convey our profound grief and sorrow to the Mpofu family on the death of Alderman Mpofu.”
Mpofu served as a councillor for Ward 25 in Nketa from 1991 to 2008.
During his tenure, he served on the Future Water Supplies and Water Action Committee, the Executive Committee (now General Purposes Committee), Finance and Development and Health, Housing and Education committees. He chaired the last two committees.
He also served as council’s representative on outside bodies such as the Bulawayo Twinning Committee, Matabeleland North Provincial Council, National Art Gallery of Zimbabwe, Local Authorities Pension Fund Management Committee and the Urban Council’s Association of Zimbabwe.
He was also appointed as alternate for the Zimbabwe National Army Benevolent Fund board of trustees for the 2003 to 2004 municipal year.
During the 2003 to 2004 municipal year, Mpofu was the deputy mayor of Bulawayo.
He was elevated to the status of alderman in 2001 “in recognition of his eminent civic and public service rendered during his tenure as councillor” where he played an important role in representing the views of the residents and the underprivileged residents.
Mpofu is survived by a wife, two sons and a daughter.
