HARARE – Former MDC Alliance senator Lillian Timveos, who defected to Zanu PF after being recalled from parliament, died on Monday aged 51.

Timveos died at a private hospital in Harare following a sudden illness.

Her passing was confirmed by her husband, Michael Timveos, who said she died at Avenues Clinic in Harare, where she had been admitted.

Meanwhile, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has led tributes following the passing of the of former Senator for Zvishavane lawmaker.

In a condolence message on Monday, Mnangagwa described Timveos as a “dynamic, grassroots politician, a community leader and an enterprising businesswoman,” whose passing is a significant loss to the nation.

“I received with utter shock and sadness news of the passing on today of Mrs. Lillian Timveos after a sudden, unexpected illness,” said Mnangagwa.

“Her demise has robbed our Nation of a promising leader and staunch gender activist who earned and commanded respect across the national political divide.”

Timveos, who was previously a senior member of the opposition MDC-T and later the MDC-Alliance, made headlines when she defected to the ruling Zanu PF party in 2021.

Her political shift, Mnangagwa noted, reflected her independent-minded approach and commitment to unity.

“Her rejoining the ruling Zanu PF Party, alongside several hundreds of erstwhile opposition leaders and activists, mirrored her daring, independent-minded politics and tenacious search for larger unity and consensual politics in our Nation,” Mnangagwa said.

The President highlighted Timveos’ role in challenging entrenched political norms and promoting cohesion, saying, “She leaves behind a salutary lesson of broad-minded politics to those in opposition, while exhorting those of us in the ruling Party to always strive for, and work towards building a broad political church in which all are welcome and accommodated.”

Her political journey included graduating from the Chitepo School of Ideology after joining Zanu PF.

Mnangagwa extended his condolences to the Timveos family on behalf of the government, the ruling party, and his own family. “May they find respite and comfort in the great esteem with which we all held her,” he said.

The President also announced that the government would accord Timveos a state-assisted funeral to honor her contributions to the nation.

“May her dear soul rest in eternal peace,” Mnangagwa said.