Gukurahundi cover-up editor urgently needs medical help

Geoffrey (Geoff) Nyarota is in critical health and urgently requires medical treatment for a trio of serious conditions: cancer, heart disease, and kidney failure. Nyarota, who has a long career in journalism, having edited several prominent newspapers, is currently on dialysis and has been unwell for some time now.

Nyarota is arguably known for exposing the Willowgate Scandal in 1987, where corrupt cabinet ministers were buying discounted vehicles from the state owned Willowvale Motor Industries and then selling them at inflated prices.

He is also known for allegedly covering up the Gukurahundi Massacres that happened between 1983 and 1987 when the Fifth Brigade brutally crushed any resistance in the Matabeleland and Midlands provinces killing an estimated 20,000 civilians.

He was one of the editors of the Chronicle newspaper and is accused by critics of writing propaganda and dismissing the Gukurahundi genocide stories that were run by foreign and private media between 1983 and 1987.

Nyarota, who has served as the editor of Manica Post, The Chronicle, Financial Gazette, Daily News, and The Zimbabwe Times, has a history of seeking medical treatment in South Africa, but the situation has grown more dire. He now faces the overwhelming challenge of managing multiple health issues at once, with private medical care proving to be out of reach due to prohibitive costs, and Zimbabwe's public healthcare system lacking the necessary equipment for his treatment.

In response to this, journalist Hopewell Chin'ono has made an urgent appeal for donations to help raise the US$15,000 needed for Nyarota's emergency medical treatment. Chin'ono, who is spearheading the fundraising effort, has shared the dire news with the public, encouraging Zimbabweans to contribute whatever they can.

Chin'ono's post on social media reads:

"Please Read and RETWEET. A fellow Zimbabwean journalist and editor of NewZimbabwe.com, Gilbert Nyambabvu, contacted me about the dire health situation of one of our most senior Zimbabwean journalists, Geoff Nyarota. Nyarota is battling cancer, heart disease, and kidney disease at the same time, he is very unwell. Like millions of other Zimbabweans, he simply cannot afford the private treatment anymore, public hospitals lack the necessary equipment required for his treatment, and private healthcare is extremely prohibitively expensive. I spoke to Mr Nyarota, whom I address by his clan name, Nyati, on Saturday morning. He explained his health and financial struggles to me, and I promised to take his plight to the people in the hope that we can successfully raise the funds needed. We agreed to help him raise US$15,000. I am urging all Zimbabweans to contribute whatever they can to support this remarkable journalist, who dedicated so much of his life to public service as a journalist, editor and founder of the original iconic Daily News."

The funds raised will go towards Nyarota's cancer treatment at Medland Hospital in Zambia, followed by heart treatment in India. He is also undergoing dialysis for his kidney disease.

Chin'ono emphasized the urgency of the situation, urging Zimbabweans to contribute as soon as possible to prevent further delays in Nyarota's treatment and to improve his chances of recovery.

The following bank and payment details have been provided for those wishing to contribute:

    Nostro Bank Account Name: Geoffrey Nyarota
    Bank: First Capital Bank, Pearl House Branch
    Account Number: 21441278195
    EcoCash Number: +263 775 989 621

As Nyarota battles his serious health issues, his colleagues and Zimbabweans are rallying to support him, recognizing the incredible contribution he has made to the country's media landscape over the years.