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Karima-nzira, who died at West End Hospital early yesterday morning, has been declared a national hero.
The Zanu-PF Politburo met in Harare yesterday and unanimously declared Cde Karimanzira a national hero.
“The decision was unanimous. We feel very, very sad. This is a heavy loss not only to the party, but also to the country,” said Zanu-PF secretary for administration Cde Didymus Mutasa.
He said Cde Karimanzira’s political history dates back to the early 1970s when nationalists were fighting the Ian Smith regime.
“He never let the party down. He never flip-flopped,” said Cde Mutasa.
Burial arrangements will be announced soon.
“We are going to make arrangements with the family. He will be buried either at the end of the week or on Monday.”
Local Government, Rural and Urban Develop-ment Minister Ignatius Chombo described Cde Karimanzira’s death as a big blow.
“Dr Karimanzira has left a void in local governance. The voice of mature administrative acumen is gone,” he said.
Minister Chombo said Dr Karimanzira’s death was also a big loss to Zanu-PF.
“The common denominator on Cde Karima-nzira at all material times was his consistency and loyalty to Zanu-PF. His loyalty was never questionable. He was not a man of factions. His only clique was Zanu-PF,” he said.

Cde Chombo said relations between him and Dr Karimanzira dates back to the 1980s at the University of Zimbabwe.
Together with Cde Karimanzira and other late national heroes Cdes Chris Ushewokunze and Witness Mangwende among others, they helped revive the University of Zimbabwe’s Zanu-PF district.
Cde Chombo later worked with Dr Karimanzira in various portfolios when they both became Government ministers.
“Our relationship developed from being political to being personal,” he said.
Politburo member Cde Charles Tawengwa, who worked closely with Dr Karimanzira in the party, said he was a principled cadre who deserved a place at the national shrine.
“In terms of working for the party, he was a committed cadre from the beginning, well before independence. He was always committed even after independence.
“He was a principled person who followed instructions. You could feel at home with him. His death is not only a loss to Harare and Mashonaland East provinces but the whole country will miss him,” said Cde Tawengwa.
Cde Karimanzira was appointed Governor and Resident Minister for Mashonaland East in early 2000.
He was later re-assigned as Governor and Resident Minister for Harare Metropolitan Province in 2005, a position he held until his death.
During his tenure as Governor for Mashonaland East, Dr Karimanzira played a critical role in the re-distribution of land under the agrarian reform.
As Harare Governor and Resident Minister, Dr Karimanzira oversaw the construction of houses under Operation Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle.
This was after Government had embarked on a clean up programme dubbed “Operation Murambatsvina” to rid Harare of illegal structures.
Dr Karimanzira was also instrumental in championing peri-urban agriculture in Harare.