…The late Ambassador Victor Matematanda
By Desire Tshuma
HARARE – Zimbabwean diplomat and veteran politician Ambassador Dr. Victor Matemadanda has died at the age of 66, a death confirmed by Nick Mangwana, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, through a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Matemadanda was born on 3 March 1960 in Mvuma. He joined the liberation struggle in 1976, leaving school to fight with ZANLA forces. He moved through Mozambique via Feira and later worked in Zambia organizing logistics for the war effort.
He served as Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to the Republic of Mozambique and the Kingdom of Eswatini, representing the President abroad. Before moving into diplomacy in 2020, he held senior positions in ZANU PF and government.
Matemadanda was National Political Commissar for ZANU PF and Deputy Minister of Defence and War Veterans. He was Secretary General of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association and a Member of Parliament for Gokwe Central. He was known for his direct style and strong ties to the war veterans’ movement.
He played a visible role during the November 2017 events known as Operation Restore Legacy, when the military intervened and led to the removal of the late former President Robert Mugabe. As head of the war veterans’ association at the time, Matemadanda was one of the public voices calling for change within ZANU PF and addressed rallies during the period.
At the time of writing, the official cause of Ambassador Matemadanda’s death has not been publicly confirmed and government and family statements are awaited.
“Sincere condolences go to His Excellency the President, whom Matemadanda served abroad, and to his family, friends, colleagues, and the nation at large.May his soul rest in peace,”said Mangwana on his X account.