Political activist Patson Dzamara has died.
Dzamara died ahead of his scheduled cancer operation.
As Zimbabwe mourns the passing on of Patson Dzamara here are five things you did not know about him:
1. He was brother to Itai Dzamara
Patson was brother to missing journalist Itai Dzamara. He entered political activism after his brother Itai went missing in 2015. Patson Dzamara’s demonstrations were mainly focused on the whereabouts of his brother who was abducted by suspected State security agents.
2. He staged a one man demo in front of Robert Mugabe
Dzamara was one of the most daring Zimbabweans in recent history together with his brother Itai who handed a letter to then President Robert Mugabe requesting him to retire from office.
In April 2016, Patson Dzamara carried out a one-man demonstration asking the whereabouts of his brother Itai.
It was reported that Dzamara stood before the then President Mugabe with a placard written, “Where is Itai Dzamara?” at Independence Celebrations at the National Sports Stadium in capital Harare.
It was not to be the last time Dzamara would stage a one-man demonstration. In October 2016, he staged another one-man demo on the disappearance of his brother Itai Dzamara at the entrance of the Parliament building, and vowed he would not be silenced until the whereabouts of his missing were known.
His demonstration, however, coincided with the sitting of the National Assembly for the weekly question time, was brief, as he was quickly apprehended and taken away by parliamentary security staff.
3. He was an author
Dzamara published seven books under his The books include; The Winning Team, The Leadership Door, The Development Matrix, Dimensional Leadership, Finish What You Start, The Anatomy of Process and Forced To Fight.
His book Forced To Fight was auctioned and bought for US$1, 500 by businessman and politician Chamu Chiwanza.
4. Dzamara did one month of community service
Dzamara was once convicted for obstructing the course of justice together with Makomborero Haruziviishe.
The duo was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment of which 3 months were suspended for 5 years on condition of good behaviour and remaining 9 months imprisonment were suspended on condition that Dzamara and Haruziviishe perform 315 hours of community service.
Dzamara and Haruziviishe had completed 1 month of community service with the remaining 8 being suspended after a High Court appeal was successfully filed.
5.He had a PhD
Patson Dzamara had a PhD in Strategic Management from Christ University in India.