A top MDC-T member who was chief among those who reported alleged vote rigging in the party’s US local elections in 2011, James Charlie, has died after a long kidney problem.
Born in 1968, Charlie’s death was announced on Friday afternoon.
Charlie was a founder member of MDC-T structures in USA and despite his health problems, he still served the party tirelessly and he is noted for driving more thousand miles to meetings at his own expense.
Born in 1968 in Zimbabwe, he is an unsung hero in the campaign for human hights and democracy in Zimbabwe. James was a political activist, devoted Christian, humanitarian and one who sought social justice for others before self, the party honoured him in a statement.
In 2011 he fearlessly complained and reported alleged vote rigging in the MDC-T’s US province after the Harare election assigned Tamasanqa Mahlangu was seen receiving gifts including a brand new suit before the ballots had been conducted. He also reported several other irregularities.

According to the party statement, he worked tirelessly during the formation of the first MDC-T Branch in the USA, the Dallas Branch in Texas, soon after stepping his foot on US soil from Zimbabwe. His hard work in recruiting new members into MDC-T resulted in the formation of more branches in other States.
The party statement further reads:
James Charlie devoted himself to the human rights struggle even as his health was failing. He would miss his dialysis appointment in order to attend a meeting with visiting political activists from Zimbabwe. In party matters, church matters or anything involving other people, Charlie would always make himself available. His dedication and commitment to Zimbabwe was recognized by his colleagues who recently raised money to help when he was in hospital.
James Charlie was a pragmatist and action oriented. His question all the time was What do we do next? He was eager to move his colleagues out of mere rhetoric and political grandstanding to practical action: whether it was raising money or demonstrating. For him, his frail health was almost like a minor inconvenience that could not stop him from his political activism.
Comrades and friends, ladies and gentleman, this was the Charlie we all knew. Charlie is a legend of unparalleled hospitality, kindness and leadership by example.
Thank you Charlie for your sharing in human services both at home and here abroad.
We pray his battle and efforts may be realized in the soon coming elections at home. James Charlie died in the trenches i USA. on June 2. 2013, fighting for a democratic Zimbabwe. He was, and will forever be a revered Zimbabwean democracy hero.
His body was flown and arrived in Harare yesterday, Saturday.
Meanwhile a church service was scheduled for Sunday at 13:30 hours at United Methodist Church, Chisipite Circuit, Highlands – Harare.
The burial will follow the next day, Monday.