Mnangagwa mourn Zanele Moyo

Hundreds of mourners, including senior Government officials, relatives and friends yesterday gathered at Professor Jonathan Moyo's Borrowdale home to console the family on the death of their fourth daughter Zanele.

Among mourners at the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development's house were Zanu-PF members from Tsholotsho and Harare, students and staff from various universities, teachers' colleges and polytechnics.

Zanele (20) who was a second year Political Science, International Relations and Gender Studies student at the University of Cape Town was found dead in her apartment on Saturday.

She will be buried today at 2pm at Glen Forest Memorial Park.

Speaking at the funeral wake, Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa described Zanele's death as a tragedy.

"The parents sent her to university expecting that she would come back with skills," he said. "Suddenly, her life was cut short. A girl at that age, what wrong could she have done to deserve such a death?

"Only the Lord knows what happened to Zanele. We are told the record of death does not give adequate information to show the cause of death except to say investigations are continuing.

"We all know death exists, we are all graves, but our wish as parents is to have our children and grandchildren looking after us, but Jehovah has his own way of doing things and he cannot be questioned."

VP Mnangagwa said Zanele had her dreams which were not fulfilled.

"Zanele aspired to be a lawyer and work for Zimbabwe," he said. "As parents we inspire to educate our children. Zvino kana demo rouya richitema vana ivava? It shows that whenever we are, no matter what age, death can come according to the will of God."

Minister of Policy Co-ordination and Promotion of Socio-Economic Ventures in the Office of the President and Cabinet Simon Khaya Moyo said it was sad that Zanele's death had come a year after her sister's wedding.

"Zanele was a special gift to the Professor and Mrs Moyo, she was very humble and focused," he said. "Zanele was loaned to Prof Moyo and Mrs Moyo. She is not lost, but has gone before us.''

Kenyan ambassador Ms Lucy Jebet Chelimo said her country was saddened by Zanele's death, whose mother Beatrice comes from that country.

"It was with great sadness that we learnt of Zanele's death," she said. "Only God knows what happened. I am praying for the family that faith helps you through this difficult time."

One of Zanele's friends Natasha Kasukuwere said she was saddened by her death.

Mrs Beatrice Moyo's sister, Mrs Atem Hapisu, said although they will go back to Kenya, they will always pray for the Moyo family.

"We do not ask you not to cry. You should cry but God will comfort you. Take comfort in God and be ready to release Zanele," she said.

Some of the people who attended the funeral wake were former Hurungwe West Member of Parliament and expelled Zanu-PF member Mr Temba Mliswa, Defence Minister Sydney Sekeramayi, Minister of Finance and Economic Development Patrick Chinamasa, Prosecutor-General Mr Johannes Tomana, Minister of State for Harare Provincial Affairs Miriam Chikukwa and members of the women's national soccer team.