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Writer critical of the Mugabe regime dies

Johannesburg - One of Zimbabwe's best-known writers, Chenjerai Hove, has died in Norway at the age of 59, his publisher announced on Monday.

"It is with sadness and regret that we announce the death of author, poet and commentator Chenjerai Hove in Stavanger, Norway on Sunday 12 July," Weaver Press said in a statement.

Hove, a former teacher who had degrees from Unisa and the University of Zimbabwe, was a prolific poet who gained international attention with the publication of his novel Bones in 1988, which won a Noma Award for Publishing in Africa. 

One of his more recent works was Palaver Finish, a collection of previously published newspaper essays, mostly critical of Zimbabwe's political leadership. Palaver Finish was published by Weaver Press in 2002.

Unconfirmed reports say Hove died of liver failure. He had spent his later years outside Zimbabwe.

News of his death, just a few days after the death of Zimbabwean poet Freedom Nyamubaya, has shocked many.

Tweeted journalist @lmakombe: "A literary dark cloud enveloping Zimbabwe, losing two authors in a week."

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