Elliot Manyika

Elliot Tapfumaneyi Manyika (30 July 1955 – 6 December 2008) was a Zimbabwean politician, musician, who served as Minister without Portfolio and the National political Commissar for ZANU-PF.^[1]

Born at Rosa Clinic in Chiweshe, Manyika did his primary education at Madombwe and Bare schools. After completing Standard Six at Bare, he attended Kutama College. In 1974, he was arrested for allegedly writing and circulating subversive statements while waiting for his O-level results. He was sentenced to five years in prison, but was released after 18 months under strict conditions. As a result of the incarceration, he could not proceed for Advanced level.

After Zimbabwe gained independence from Great Britain, Manyika sat for examinations, during which time he also obtained diplomas in Accounts and Business from the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He later studied for a master's degree in International Policy Studies with the University of Bristol in Britain.

Manyika joined the Zanu-PF Youth League together with the late Minister of Youth, Gender and Employment Creation, Border Gezi, in 1982. He rose through the ranks, becoming the youngest provincial secretary for administration in 1986.

He also worked in different capacities in the government, including that of under-secretary in the President's Office. He worked for the then ministries of Local Government and National Housing and Women's Affairs.

He was Minister of Youth Development, Gender and Employment Creation before being appointed as Minister without Portfolio on 9 February 2004.^[2]

Manyika died in a road accident on 6 December 2008, aged 53, while he was traveling to Gwanda.^[3] Days after the accident, Manyika was declared a national hero by the Politburo.^[4] From 2003 until his death, Manyika was placed on the European Union and United States sanctions lists.^[5]

Elliot Tapfumaneyi Manyika was born on 30 July 1955 at Rosa Clinic in Chiweshe, Zimbabwe. He attended primary education at Madombwe and Bare schools, completing Standard Six at Bare. He pursued secondary education at Kutama College. In 1974, while awaiting his O-level results, Manyika was arrested for allegedly writing and distributing subversive statements, resulting in a five-year prison sentence. He was released after 18 months under strict conditions that prevented him from pursuing Advanced-level studies. Following Zimbabwe's independence in 1980, Manyika obtained diplomas in Accounts and Business from the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He later earned a master's degree in International Policy Studies from the University of Bristol, United Kingdom.^[6]

Manyika joined the ZANU-PF Youth League in 1982 alongside Border Gezi, rising to become the youngest provincial secretary for administration in 1986.^[6] He held various governmental roles, including under-secretary in the President's Office and positions in the Ministries of Local Government and National Housing and Women's Affairs. He served as Minister of Youth Development, Gender and Employment Creation before being appointed Minister Without Portfolio on 9 February 2004, a role involving special assignments under the president's direction.^[6]

Following the death of Border Gezi in a car accident on 28 April 2001, a by-election was held on 27–28 July 2001 for the Bindura constituency. Manyika won the seat for ZANU-PF with 15,864 votes, defeating Elliot Pfebve of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), who received 9,456 votes.^[6] His tenure as MP was brief, as he transitioned to other roles within the party and government.

As ZANU-PF's National Political Commissar, Manyika was responsible for mobilizing party support and overseeing internal restructuring during a period of factionalism and succession debates. He was reportedly aligned with Emmerson Mnangagwa's faction, and his restructuring efforts targeted rival factions within ZANU-PF.^[7] His political activities were controversial; in 2004, the MDC accused him of shooting an MDC youth during a violent election campaign in Zengeza, where ZANU-PF secured a parliamentary seat.^[8] In an undated incident, members of ZANU-PF's Women's League briefly held Manyika hostage to protest internal party issues.^[8] From 2003 until his death, he was subject to targeted sanctions by the European Union and the United States due to his role in ZANU-PF.^[7] The MDC also accused him of leading aggressive campaign tactics during the March 2008 general elections, where ZANU-PF lost its parliamentary majority.^[9]

In 2007, Manyika was a beneficiary of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe's Farm Mechanisation Scheme, part of the Fast Track Land Reform Programme. According to a report published on 18 July 2020 by Big Saturday Read, Manyika received equipment worth US$312,500. The scheme disproportionately benefited Mashonaland provinces, with Mashonaland Central, where Manyika was active, receiving US$34.2 million in total.^[10]

On 6 December 2008, Manyika died in a car accident on the Zvishavane-Mbalabala Road at the 145 km peg while traveling from Mutare to Gwanda on a ZANU-PF restructuring mission. The accident, attributed to a blown tire, resulted in his death at the scene at age 53.^[9] Days later, ZANU-PF's Politburo declared him a national hero, and he was buried at the National Heroes Acre in Harare.^[6]

Family members raised concerns about the accident, citing inconsistencies between Manyika's injuries and the damage to his Mercedes Benz, as well as anonymous death threats he had received prior to the incident. These concerns prompted a police investigation in 2010, initiated at the family's request. The investigation included forensic analysis, with one of the vehicle's tires sent to South Africa for examination. Villagers near the accident site questioned the actions of an individual claiming to be a doctor who insisted on transporting Manyika's body to Bulawayo rather than a nearby hospital. As of September 2010, the investigation remained incomplete, with no final report submitted to a magistrate.^[9]

The timing of Manyika's death, amid ZANU-PF's factionalism and succession struggles, fueled speculation of foul play, particularly given his alignment with Mnangagwa.^[7] Similar suspicions surrounded the deaths of other ZANU-PF commissars, such as Border Gezi (April 2001) and Moven Mahachi (May 2001).^[9]

Manyika was born and raised in Chiweshe, Zimbabwe. Little is documented about his family, as he maintained privacy in personal matters. His brother, Enos Manyika, spoke at his funeral, revealing the family's premonitions about his death and their attempts to dissuade him from traveling to Gwanda.^[9] Manyika was also a musician, though details of his musical career are limited and require further documentation.^[6]

Elliot Manyika's role in ZANU-PF and his involvement in party restructuring underscored his influence within Zimbabwe's ruling party. His participation in the Farm Mechanisation Scheme tied him to the broader land reform efforts, while his death, alongside other high-profile accidents, contributed to ongoing debates about political intrigue in Zimbabwe. The unresolved investigation into his death and the MDC's accusations of electoral violence reflect the polarized political climate of the period.^[9]

• Elliot Manyika at Pindula

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