The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure and Lovemore Kadzura
LOVE him or hate him — controversial and equally charismatic Zanu-PF provincial executive member Cde Nathaniel Garikayi Mhiripiri, who died a fortnight ago — was a man of the people.
Cde Mhiripiri’s funeral wake proved an elementary fact that he touched many lives in a positive way.
Thousands of mourners from all walks of life converged at his Abeid Farm — about 12km on the outskirts of Rusape, last Saturday — to pay homage to a politician whose life depicted a “mixed bag” and sadly died under controversial circumstances.
However, the big crowd of mourners struggled to come to terms with the death of the maverick politician, whose decomposing body was located adjacent a stream, a few metres from a dust road leading to his farm house after having been reported missing to the police on March 13, 2017.
His body was found lying under a tree in a dry pool of blood with a tree branch covering his face. His head and right lower arm were swollen, and the skin was peeling off.
Autopsy performed on his body by pathologists at Harare Hospital discovered two bullets — one lodged in the head and another at the back — raising more questions than answers among his admirers regarding circumstances under which the often gun-toting politician met his fate.
Where and why was he shot dead? Who could have killed a man whose last days were full of misery and, apart from sheer intimidation, could hardly hurt even a fly?
These are questions, engrained in the minds of many, that require answers, and only thorough investigations by homicide detectives, will, over time unravel the mystery camouflaging Cde Mhiripiri’s demise.
A snaking funeral procession, led by Zanu-PF Manicaland Provincial chairman Dr Samuel Udenge and other senior politicians, passed through Vengere suburb en-route the Hotdogs Bus Terminus, the Central Business District (CBD) where he was celebrated for championing the cause of vendors and Mabvazuva, where he operated the now defunct Dumukwa Tours and Safaris offices at Number 1311, brought business to a halt.
It was arguably the biggest ever funeral procession held in Rusape. It was a huge, befitting, grand and spectacular send off. At every brief stop, the entourage burst into song and dance, chanting the famous chorus “Wamedza Mhiripiri Nyoro Kuwawa”.
At Vengere Bus terminus, police had to be summoned, to disperse vendors who had clogged the hearse carrying the body of a man who championed their cause with unprecedented verve, zeal and passion.
Mhizha, as he was affectionately known, was a darling of vendors and small-scale entrepreneurs and was always there to protect them at the slightest infliction of their rights, especially by the local authority.
In the CBD hundreds blocked the convoy at TM flea market, sloganeering “Mhizha Mhizha, Mhizha”. Mhizha was Cde Mhiripiri’s totem.
In a brief address at TM Flea Market, Dr Undenge said Cde Mhiripiri’s demise was a huge blow to the ruling party that often relied on his acumen during campaigns.
Dr Undenge acknowledged that Mhizha executed his portfolio of labour and production very well, as evidenced by the huge turnout by vendors and small-scale entrepreneurs.
“We are very sorry for the loss, Cde Mhiripiri, was a man of the people; he did not discriminate, and that was why he championed the cause of vendors and small-scale entrepreneurs. Our entourage around the whole town has proved a point that he was a loved and respected man in Rusape. Even very small children knew him, which means he was popular,” explained Dr Undenge.
From TM flea markets the procession proceeded to his Abeid Farm. The convoy straddled both lanes along the Rusape-Mutare Highway. Motorists driving from Mutare pulled off the road completely to pave way for the convoy.
At the graveyard speech, Finance and Economic Development Minister Cde Patrick Chinamasa said Cde Mhiripiri worked tireless for Zanu-PF since 1980 and dedicated his vast wealth to sustain the party’s hegemony in Makoni, and only to sadly die a broke man and under unexplained circumstances.
“Mhizha worked very hard for Zanu-PF since independence, and made sure that the party’s interests are well protected. He was one man who used his vast wealth to fund Zanu-PF, provided transport and bought food for party supporters.
He was once a wealthy man who was into transport and tourism business, but in his last days Mhizha became broke, riding a motor bike. It is a pity that he died this way,” said Cde Chinamasa.
“He was a professional hunter and well versed with guns. He was a sharp shooter, a sniper. His killers are cowards because if they had a face-to-face encounter with him, they would not have stood a chance. Cde Mhiripiri bitterly fought injustice to protect the weak, regardless of what the law says. He was always in touch with the masses, he fed and ate with the grassroots,” said Cde Chinamasa.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Cde Mandi Chimene, who tussled and snatched the Makoni South constituency from Cde Mhiripiri’s jaws, said Mhizha was a politician understood by a few and misunderstood by many outside Zanu PF.
Cde Chimene said Cde Mhiripiri always put Zanu-PF ahead of personal interests.
“He feared nobody or any office. He is one person who could do and say anything, anytime. He did a lot for others for free, and it would be a lie for all of us to say we have not been assisted by him in one way or the other. Yes, to him discipline and indiscipline was one thing, but he remained a likeable and charismatic character. He was my opponent in the Makoni South Zanu PF primary elections, but to my surprise, he would advise on effective campaigning,” said Cde Chimene.
Family spokesman and brother Mr Daniel Mhiripiri said the family lost a father, unifier and philanthropist.
