Roll Of Honour – Zimbabweans Who Have Died Of Coronavirus

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12 April 2020

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By A Correspondent- The number of Zimbabweans who have died of COVID 19 continues to grow daily as the scourge wrecks havoc globally.

Below is a list of Zimbabweans at home and abroad who have tragically passed away so far.

However, it should be noted that the list will be updated as and when this publication gathers more information regarding those that have also died but whose identities have not yet been availed.

May their dear departed souls rest in eternal peace…..

11. Ian Hyslop (79) from Bulawayo passed away on April 4 2020 in Zimbabwe due to COVID- 19.

10. Rutendo Mukotsanjera: A prominent public health officer and human rights activist, Rutendo is said to have passed away on Friday in the United Kingdom.

Her relative, singer Cindy Munyavi who the previous night had made a plea asking christians to support the late Mukotsanjera’a family with prayers announde the sad passing of her daughter, the following day.

Said Munyavi:

“Zorora murugare Rutendo meaning may your dear departed soul rest in peace..ndarwadziwa meaning i am in pain…thank u for your prayers. Mwari vaita kuda kwavo (it was the Lord’s will).”

“She was an amazing person. COVID-19 is such a harsh reality and it takes losing a loved one for one to realise what a monster it is. Please stay at home, for your sake and others,” she added.

9. Duran Velempini from Birmingham died end of March and worked for the NHS in the UK.

8. Naison Msebele a 77 year old retired economist who worked for Lambeth Council in London and came to UK in the 70’s died on at London Royal Hospital.

7. Marko Siwela (over 70) from Sheffield, UK.

6. Dr Paul Matewele (57), who was a senior lecturer in microbiology immunology at London Metropolitan University, died at Barnet Hospital in London.

Speaking from her base in the United Kingdom, Dr Matewele’s niece, Ms Mary Matewele, said;

“We are at a loss of words on the passing on of our family member Dr Matewele. We are still to get information from the hospital on when we are going to bury my uncle.

“The burial arrangements are reportedly being facilitated by the hospital in light of the pandemic and losing a loved one from the virus which has affected the whole world is heartbreaking.”

Dr Matewele grew up in Pelandaba suburb in Bulawayo and moved to the UK at the age of 19 to further his studies. He published several studies on the dangers of life-threatening bacteria being passed through cash and public transport.

5. Thandi Matho Thobela: Ms Thobela, is reported to have travelled to Zimbabwe last month for the burial of her sister. Efforts to get a comment from her family in Zimbabwe were unsuccessful as they declined to speak. They, however, confirmed the passing on of Ms Thobela.

While her details were still sketchy, a friend, veteran journalist Ezra Tshisa Sibanda confirmed that Ms Thobela had recently visited Zimbabwe. “This is shattering, I’m heartbroken and lost for words.

“Surely l still can’t understand how Mathobela has gone like that. A super woman who has also succumbed to Covid-19, her family has confirmed.

“She was a lovely person, very caring and a true humanitarian. Mathobela’s mum MaTshuma is devastated and can’t believe what has happened to her loving daughter and recently she also lost her own sister in Zimbabwe and Mathobela went there not knowing a month later she would be dead as well,” posted Sibanda on his Facebook page.

4. Mellisa Jacqueline: A Zimbabwean student at St. Andrews University in the USA died after contracting the coronavirus (COVID-19), according to a family spokesperson, Takudzwa Mandaza.

Mandaza said his 19 year-old young sister, Mellisa Jacqueline, died. He said the family is devastated by the death of Mellisa, whose mother lives in Michigan, USA.

“Her dad passed on a while back and she was in Michigan with her mum and other siblings studying at St. Andrews University … She was asthmatic and she tested positive for the coronavirus and passed away in hospital,” Mandaza said on the 25th of March 2020.

3. Gardner Madzongo: Madzongo, who lived in Luton (UK), reportedly died after battling for his life in the Intensive Care Unit at Luton and Dunstable Hospital, according to his friends on social media.

Eshmael Mungazi, Madzongo’s best friend, posted on Facebook that he was “feeling heartbroken’’ by the death. Madzongo, who lived in Luton for a long time, was reportedly taken ill after experiencing severe respiratory problems.