Harare (New Ziana) – The late Zanu PF Central Committee member and former legislator, Peter Haritatos will be accorded a state-assisted funeral, President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced on Tuesday.

Haritatos, who was a former Member of Parliament for Muzvezve constituency in the Midlands Province, died at the weekend due to COVID-19 related complications.

The late Haritatos is father to Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement Deputy Minister Vangelis.

In his condolence message to the Haritatos family, President Mnangagwa expressed his deep sorrow and pain over Haritatos’ death.

“His untimely death due to COVID-19 related complications further highlights how dangerous and widespread this disease has become in our country. No one is safe from it until everyone is safe,” he said.

“A senior member of the central committee of our party Zanu PF, and former legislator for Muzvezve, the death of comrade Haritatos has robbed our nation of a reliable loyal, and committed patriot with a warm and generous heart towards his fellow compatriots.

“A respected revolutionary in many respects, Baba George as he was affectionately called by close associates and the local community in the Kadoma area suffered and endured racial discrimination and human indignity at the hands of the white colonial settlers before our independence. He was denied education in white schools as punishment for his close association with blacks. His political activism and support for our liberation struggle landed him in jail.”

New Ziana