(Last Updated on October 21, 2015 by Editor)
ZIMBABWe – HARARE – President Robert Mugabe has sent a message of condolence to Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Minister Jonathan Moyo, following the death of his 20-year-old daughter, Zanele Moyo.
Zanele, a first year Political Science, International Relations and Gender Studies student at the University of Cape Town in South Africa, was found dead in her apartment last Saturday morning. Police investigations are still ongoing amidst conflicting accounts of what might have caused her death. Her body was expected in the country today.
“In this hour of deep anguish and grief following the tragic passing on of your beloved daughter Zanele, may I, on behalf of the Party, Zanu PF, Government, my family, and on my own behalf, express my heartfelt condolences to you, Professor, and to your dear wife and the entire Moyo family, on this saddest loss,” Mugabe said.
“I am sure your decision to send Zanele to university stemmed from your parental desire and hope to see her bud into a young and conscious professional who would be fully kitted for a long life ahead. Alas, that was not to be!
“Today that vivacious life has been abruptly cut short, cut in its prime tenderness. The heavy grief that afflicts you and your family is not hard for a parent to fathom, feel and share.”
“You are in our thoughts as you go through the heart-rending motions of this whole tragedy. All the same we urge you, your lovely wife and the family to keep strong and hopeful, always praying for Zanele as she transits to a new life in another realm, a life beyond what we mortals can ever comprehend.
“May her dear soul rest in eternal peace,” Mugabe added.
In a statement, Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Christopher Mushohwe said Government was saddened by the death of Zanele.
“It was a great shock for me to receive on Saturday the sad news about the death of your beloved daughter, Zanele, in her Cape Town apartment in South Africa.
“We can only imagine the amount of pain you must be going through following her tragic death. It is devastating for any parent to lose a child at such a young age just when you think they are about to realize their own dreams. What a terrible blow to visit any family!” said Mushohwe said.
“On behalf of the Deputy Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Permanent Secretary, Principal Director, Director and all members of staff, my wife and family and indeed on my own behalf, I extend our heartfelt condolences to you, your dear wife and the Moyo family, on the loss of your beloved ‘angel’.
“Rest assured our hearts and prayers are with you during this hour of bereavement. May her departed soul rest in eternal peace!”
Mourners are gathered at number 7 Rosary Close, Borrowdale in Harare.
Family spokesperson Simiso Mlevu, said Zanele’s body was expected in the country today and burial was set for Friday at Glen Forest Cemetery.
“We were expecting the body today (yesterday) but due to some logistical problems, we now expect it to arrive tomorrow (today),” she said.
Ms Mlevu said Zanele’s body will arrive at the Harare International Airport today at midday and will be taken to Nyaradzo Funeral Parlour.
The body would then be taken to Prof Moyo’s home in Borrowdale before being laid to rest at Glen Forest on Friday at 2pm.