Mount Darwin East legislator and Zanu-PF Central Committee member Cde Betty Chikava has died. She was 69. Cde Chikava succumbed to diabetes at Shashi Private Hospital in Bindura where she was admitted on Monday.

Zanu-PF Mashonaland Central provincial chairperson Cde Dickson Mafios said they will request to have Cde Chikava declared a provincial heroine.

He said Mashonaland Central had lost "a pillar of unity and a unifier"."She was very competent and would advise the province on what direction to follow," said Cde Mafios.

"The gap she left would be difficult to fill because she used to maintain discipline in the party. We lost a real cadre."

Cde Mafios said Cde Chikava played an important role during the liberation struggle by mobilising youths to resist white rule in various ways.

"That demonstrated that she was really a committed cadre of the party," he said. "We are still making some consultations and burial arrangements will be announced in due course."

Cde Chikava was born at Ndoro village in Goromonzi and did her primary education at Howard school. She did secondary education through correspondence before training as a nurse.

Cde Chikava joined Zanu in 1963, engaging in youth activities and was very active during the liberation struggle through providing material support to freedom fighters.

At independence, she held several positions in Zanu-PF party structures in Mashonaland Central.Cde Chikava is survived by husband Thompson, five children and 11 grandchildren. Mourners are gathered at house number 1 Musvosvi Street, Chipadze, Bindura.