MP's death: More details emerge

Published: 3 hours ago

There is mounting pressure for an independent investigation into the death of Nkulumane legislator and political poet Desire Moyo, amid growing public doubts about the official explanation of the tragic accident that claimed his life.

Moyo, a Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) lawmaker, died early last Friday in a road accident along the Bulawayo–Gweru highway. He was 45 years old.

The Research Institute of Zimbabwe (RIZ) has confirmed receiving a request to verify the circumstances surrounding the crash, which authorities said involved an elephant.

RIZ executive director Felix Magalela Mafa Sibanda said the silence from state institutions had heightened public suspicion.

"We have been approached by people to ascertain whether this was foul play or an accident beyond reproach," Sibanda said. "People are asking where that elephant is. We have not heard anything from the wildlife department on whether that elephant died, was injured, or has been identified."

He called for accountability from Parliament, the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), and the CAMPFIRE programme, saying transparency was essential to maintain public trust.

"Some sections of Zimbabweans are questioning the authenticity of the accident because neither Parliament nor the wildlife management authorities have explained what exactly happened," he said.

ZimParks spokesperson Tami Mudzingwa confirmed that investigations are still underway. "We will provide feedback once the full details are available," she said.

A new first-hand account from Madzibaba Abel Moyo, a traditional healer whose shrine is close to the accident scene in Shangani, sheds further light on the events of that night.

He said the crash occurred around 2:15 a.m. when the vehicle encountered three elephants crossing the road.

"I think the driver panicked and hit one of them on the left back foot," Moyo recalled. "The elephant screamed, fell, then got up and walked about 200 metres away, where it eventually died."

Moyo, who said he and his patients were the first to arrive at the scene, described the harrowing effort to rescue survivors and recover the MP's body.

"I discovered that the man behind the driver's seat was seriously injured. When we looked at the driver, we realised he had died already," he said. "The police did not come early, so I had to brave myself and remove him from the wreckage."

He explained that he performed traditional rituals to seek spiritual permission before retrieving Moyo's body, which he wrapped before police arrived.

Those injured were later taken to Gweru Hospital, while the MP's body was collected by police.

Moyo said he is now seeking traditional cleansing after coming into contact with the deceased's blood.

"As a spiritualist, since I got contact with the blood of Moyo and others who are not my relatives, I must be cleansed. The accident scene continues to haunt me," he said.

According to local accounts, Debshan Rangers from the Oppenheimer estate collected the elephant's head, tusks, and skin, while the meat was removed using a tractor.

The accident occurred in a section of Shangani known for seasonal elephant migration routes. Local villagers have appealed to the Ministry of Transport to erect warning signs along the highway to prevent future tragedies.
- Southern Eye