Chief Bota dies

CHIEF Bota of Zaka district in Masvingo province has died.

He was 96. Chief Bota, real name Chiyo Mugabe died at his home last Wednesday after a long illness. He was born on February, 5,1920.

Zaka District Administrator Mr Tapson Chivanga said burial arrangements will be announced in due course as family members were still working on modalities for the chief's burial.

"I can confirm that one of our respected chiefs, Chief Bota has died. He passed away on Wednesday at around 8 am after battling undisclosed ailment for some time.

"There are traditional rites done when a chief dies and it is after these that we can be made aware of the proposed date of burial. We had a meeting with family members and those within the chieftainship. We will stand guided by the family," said Mr Chivanga.

He called on the Bota clan to choose the heir to the chieftainship peacefully without wrangles that have characterised some areas after the death of incumbent chief.

"The most painful thing is that we have lost two chiefs in a space of one year in Zaka after Chief Nyakunhuwa passed on in August, 2015. We have been working with Chief Bota well despite him being advanced in age and I hope the remaining clan will continue with the good work. I call upon the Bota clan to choose a replacement peacefully," he said.

Mr Chivanga said Chief Bota assumed his position in 2004 after the death of his predecessor in 2002.

He revealed that Chief Bota worked in South Africa for many years before joining Mashava Mine in Masvingo in the early 1980s. He is survived by his wife whose name was not given, 11 children and 53 grandchildren.