Tinotenda Hove – Dr. Sydney Gata, Executive Chairperson of ZESA Holdings and a close relative of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, has died at the age of 79. His death, confirmed by ZESA’s Stakeholder Relations Department, occurred on Thursday night at a local hospital after a brief illness.

The revelation of Gata’s family ties to the president has reignited long-standing concerns over nepotism and transparency within the country’s top government institutions.

Dr. Gata was a veteran in Zimbabwe’s energy sector, with a career spanning over four decades. He made history as the first black General Manager of the Electricity Supply Commission (ESC) from 1981 to 1985. He went on to serve as Chief Executive Officer and board member of ZESA in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

His leadership at ZESA resumed in 2001 when he was appointed Executive Chairperson, a role he held until 2006 before being re-appointed to the same post in 2019 by President Mnangagwa’s administration.

Internationally, Dr. Gata was recognised for his contributions to the power and energy sector. He served on the board of the World Energy Council (WEC) between 1992 and 1994 and was Deputy Chairperson of its Studies Committee. He also held advisory roles with the African Development Bank and Integrated Energy Systems Limited in the UK.

Despite his credentials, Dr. Gata’s leadership at ZESA was marred by controversy, including persistent national power outages and public criticism over alleged mismanagement.

He is survived by his wife, Honourable Angeline Gata, the Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, along with their children and grandchildren.