Chiwenga Buries Four (4) In One Week – Eduzim News

By Munacho Gwamanda-Acting President Constantino Chiwenga has presided over an unusual and grim series of state burials in one week, raising eyebrows about the increasing number of high-profile deaths linked to the post-2017 coup power structure.

Last Wednesday, Chiwenga supervised a triple burial at the National Heroes Acre, laying to rest John Bvundura, Chen Chimutengwende, and Retired Major General Solomon Siziba. 

Today, he returns to the revered site to bury yet another “national hero,” Justin Mupamhanga, who passed away last Wednesday.

Since the 2017 coup that catapulted Mnangagwa to power, Chiwenga’s allies have been plagued by an unsettling series of deaths, leaving political analysts and the public questioning whether this pattern is coincidental or a reflection of Zimbabwe’s murky political waters.

Notably, the following figures have succumbed under mysterious or sudden circumstances: Perrance Shiri, the former Air Force Commander and Minister of Agriculture, a close military ally of Chiwenga during the coup, died reportedly of COVID-19, although rumours of foul play circulated widely. Sibusiso Moyo, Zimbabwe’s Foreign Affairs Minister, known for announcing the coup in 2017, died of COVID-19 complications, sparking speculation about political motives. Joel Biggie Matiza, the Transport Minister and another staunch ally of Chiwenga also succumbed during a COVID-19 surge, though the timing of these deaths raised eyebrows. General Amoth Chingombe – A close collaborator of Chiwenga during the 1992 drought relief operations, his demise added to the growing list of fallen comrades. Douglas Nyikayaramba– The retired Major General and a confidant of Chiwenga, also passed away under suspicious circumstances.

Mupamhanga’s death adds another layer to this narrative. 

A war veteran who joined the liberation struggle in 1975, he became a key figure in Zimbabwe’s intelligence and economic strategy. 

As Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Mupamhanga played a pivotal role in monitoring government programs, particularly during crises like the 1992 drought and the early 2000s food shortages.

Mupamhanga’s retirement in 2019, orchestrated by Mnangagwa, marked his quiet exit from public service after years of significant contributions to Zimbabwe’s governance.

While state funerals are common for those declared national heroes, the frequency of these burials under Chiwenga’swatch—and the mysterious patterns surrounding his inner circle—paint a somber picture.

Questions linger about the extent of political rivalries and whether these deaths signal deeper fissures within the ruling Zanu PF.

Related