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The Herald
Honor the lord
Herald Reporter
The Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development and President of Zanu-PF Mashonaland East, Dr. Joel Biggie Matiza, passed away.
A veteran of the liberation struggle and a renowned architect by profession, Cde Matiza died last night of a Covid-19 related illness at St Anne Hospital in Harare at age 60.
The Minister of Information, Advertising and Broadcasting, Monica Mutsvangwa, confirmed the death of Minister Matiza in a statement, praising his legacy of hard work and diligence.
“Covid-19 has claimed another member of the cabinet in Hon Joel Biggie Matiza, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development.
“Minister JB Matiza brought a new beginning and added vigor to the development of our road network, both trunk and auxiliary.
“It opened the sector to local construction companies and took advantage of local technical and professional talent.
“The beginning of the rehabilitation and expansion of the Beitbridge-Harare main road marked the climax of his frenzied ministerial engagement,” Minister Mutsvangwa said.
She added: “He used the same zeal in the recovery of airline rail infrastructure.
“Comrade Joel Biggie Matiza was also a proven cadre of the ruling party. He was president of the province of Mashonaland East. “
Zanu PF Mashonaland East Political Commissioner Cde Hebert Shumbamhini said the province had received the news of Cde Matiza’s death with surprise.
“We are still in a state of shock. He succumbed to Covid-19 tonight around 7pm at St Anne’s Hospital in Harare, where he was admitted, ”he said.
Born on August 17, 1960 in Murehwa, Dr. Matiza was a member of the South Murehwa House of Assembly and his previous government positions include Minister of State for Mashonaland East Province.
At the time of his death, he was also a member of the Central Committee of Zanu PF and previously served in the government as Deputy Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing.
According to his curriculum vitae deposited in Parliament, Minister Matiza joined the liberation struggle in 1977 as a cadre of the Revolutionary Army of the African People of Zimbabwe (Zipra).
He attended local schools before going to Nigeria for his tertiary education, where he graduated with an Honors Bachelor of Architecture and a Master of Architecture from Ahmadu Bello University.
He graduated with a Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) from Binary University of Management and Entrepreneurship, Malaysia, in collaboration with Chinhoyi University of Technology on December 15 last year.
During his term in government under President Mnangagwa’s administration, Minister Matiza lobbied for the rehabilitation of roads in the country using local resources and entrusted local companies to carry out the work.
During his tenure, the Government embarked on massive road rehabilitation projects of varying magnitude in all districts.
President Mnangagwa commissioned the completed sections of the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge highway in Phase One of the rehabilitation program, which involves the improvement and expansion of the highway.
This is one of the major post-independence infrastructure development projects expected to extend to Chirundu, on the border with Zambia.
The death of Minister Matiza comes at a time when the nation is still in deep mourning following the death on Wednesday of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Dr. Sibusiso Moyo, who has since been declared a National Hero.
He will be buried Wednesday at National Heroes Acre in Harare.
This week, President Mnangagwa presided over the funerals of the late Manicaland Minister of Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Dr. Ellen Gwaradzimba, and the late Zanu PF Central Committee member, Cde Moton Dizzy Paul Malianga, at National Heroes Acre.
Earlier this month, the country lost its decorated military commander, Brigadier General Collin Moyo (retired), who was buried in the national shrine.
Dr. Matiza became the fourth minister to die of Covid-19-related complications following the deaths of Dr. Moyo, Dr. Gwaradzimba, and former Minister of Land, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement, Perrance Shiri.
The late Dr. Gwaradzimba also died after testing positive for the virus that threatens to overwhelm health services.
The death of Dr. Matiza robs the country of a liberation war veteran who devoted himself to post-fighting education and entrepreneurship and served his country in various capacities.
He passionately believed in the diligence and experience of Zimbabweans in various trades.
