Aunt speaks on Chiedza Brown's suicide mystery

THE body of Chiedza Brown - the teenage daughter to the late iconic musicians Andy Brown and Chiwoniso Maraire - was cremated in Texas in the United States, amid indications that relatives in Harare have been kept in the dark about the funeral arrangements.

Chiedza, who lived with her aunt Tawona Maraire, committed suicide at the age of 15 in unclear circumstances. Following the cremation, Chiedza's ashes were expected to be flown into the country for burial in Mberengwa next to her father.

Chiedza's aunt, Queen Mashie, confirmed that the cremation was conducted but she could not say when the ashes would be brought to Zimbabwe for interment.

"I can confirm that the cremation was done, but I am not at liberty to tell you as to when the ashes will be flown home for burial. But definitely they will be coming," she said.

NewsDay, however, understands that family members in the US were not communicating with those in Zimbabwe."No one here back home is aware of the burial arrangements whatsoever. Chengeto (Chiedza's elder sister) and Tawona had Chiedza cremated, but are not really communicating with family members," said an insider.

"We believe and know they will bring the ashes soon, but as for now we are unaware of the exact day this will materialise."Following reports that organisers of the Bring Chiedza Back Home gig raised $4 000 Queen Mashie said Chengeto was not interested in the money as she had already done all the paperwork concerning Chiedza's cremation.

The money, it is understood, has not been surrendered to the family. "Chengeto has since made it very clear that she wants nothing to do with that money because everyone back home knew that she had already signed cremation papers, but other people decided to go ahead with their concert," Queen Mashie said.

Radio personality Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa, who was believed to have organised the concert, denied the claims and said she did not know anything about the $4 000.

"I don't know anything about the money that was raised. Ammara (Brown) just asked me as a friend to be the master of ceremony on the night of the event and I accepted the offer. I was never part of the organising committee responsible for any funds whatsoever," she said.

She was however tight-lipped over reports that there was a communication breakdown within the family.She denied reports of abuse levelled against Tawona Maraire amid indications that the latter could have driven Chiedza to suicide.

"People say a lot of things when such things occur, but that is not primary at this juncture. We should honour Tawona for having at one point in time taken care of seven children at the same time," she said.

"It is not easy, but she was brave and showed the resilience of a motherly figure and I doubt that much if she deserves such a tag. Anyway, the truth always comes out."