Harare – The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) executive chairman and Robert Mugabe’s brother- in-law Sydney Gata died on Friday at a local hospital in Harare.
He was 78.
He was the first black General Manager of ZESA then known as Electricity Supply Commission from 1981-1985.
Gata served as ZESA chief executive officer from the mid-1980s to early 1990s.
”Dr Gata dedicated his life to advancing energy solutions and infrastructure development,” ZESA said in a condolence message.
Gata was mechanical and aeronautical engineer by training.
He was married to the late former president Robert Mugabe’s half sister, Ntombana Regina Mugabe for 35 years after which they divorced in 2022.
The divorce in 2022 came conveniently after the death of the feared Robert Mugabe who was removed from power in a coup in November 2017.
Gata served at ZESA chairman twice, during the Mugabe era and was appointed by current President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Gata endeared himself to Mnangagwa.
Through his marriage to Regina, Gata received preferential treatment to get appointment to lucrative positions.
He mixed and mingled with powerful politicians making friends with Zimbabwe’s black aristocracy.
Gata was powerful, in 2020 Energy Minister Fortune Chasi was fired by Mnangagwa after the minister had tried to have Gata tow the line.
Before his divorce to Regina Mugabe Gata married Angeline Mayahle.
Angeline Mayahle Gata is Zimbabwe’s deputy minister of Primary and Secondary education.