Harare- News of the death of Labour, Economists and African Democrats (LEAD) President Linda Tsungirira Masarira has drawn sharply divided reactions across Zimbabwe’s political landscape, with tributes and criticism colliding on social media within hours of the announcement on Sunday, 24 May 2026.
Masarira’s death was confirmed by her friend Abigale Mupambi, who said the opposition leader had been unwell and was recently hospitalized.
Cause of death has not been made public, although some reports say she had breathing problems.
Criticism from Opposition Ranks Transform Zimbabwe leader Jacob Ngarivhume was among the first high-profile figures to comment, posting a thread on X that revived past political clashes with Masarira.
“Linda chose to attack fellow opposition members more than she attacked ZANU-PF. That opportunism weakened our collective fight,” Ngarivhume wrote. “I pray for her family, but we must be honest about political legacies. History will judge us all.”
Ngarivhume and Masarira had publicly feuded since 2020 over strategy and alliances within the opposition. His post drew thousands of replies, many echoing his critique of Masarira’s confrontational style.
Others condemned the timing and tone of the criticism. Former MDC-A vice president Welshman Ncube called for restraint.
“Whatever differences existed, today is not the day for score-settling,” Ncube posted. “Linda Masarira was a mother, a trade unionist, and a woman who dared to enter the arena. We can debate her politics tomorrow. Today, let’s grant her family dignity.”
Ordinary Zimbabweans also weighed in.
Harare resident Tariro Chikwanha told Mupane News: “You don’t have to agree with someone to respect the dead. The insults I’m seeing online are un-African. We’ve lost ubuntu.”
Meanwhile, women’s rights activist Lynette Mudehwe defended Masarira’s record: “Linda was flawed, like all of us. But she spoke when many women were silent. She took hits from the state and from within the opposition. Those attacking her now should ask if they were as brave.”
LEAD members held a candlelight vigil outside the party’s offices in Harare on Sunday night. Deputy President Virginia Mutsamwira described Masarira as “a fighter who refused to be boxed in.”
“She was unapologetic. That made people uncomfortable. But she opened space for women in politics that didn’t exist before,” Mutsamwira said.
Masarira rose to prominence as a National Railways of Zimbabwe trade unionist before entering opposition politics.
She formed LEAD in 2019 after splitting from the MDC-T. Her tenure was marked by legal battles, arrests, and public spats with both ZANU-PF and other opposition leaders.
Political analyst Dr. Alexander Rusero said the polarized reaction reflects Masarira’s role as a disruptor.
“She didn’t play the unity game. She called out everyone - government, civil society, fellow opposition. In death, that legacy forces people to pick a side even in mourning,” Rusero said. “The negative reactions are as much about unresolved opposition tensions as they are about her.”
Funeral arrangements had not been announced by late Sunday.