BIKITA - President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Sunday laid to rest his niece Shamiso at the family homestead in Bikita district, Masvingo Province, telling mourners that death is not determined by age and must be accepted as God’s plan.
Mnangagwa, accompanied by First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, addressed hundreds of mourners who gathered at the homestead to pay their last respects, saying the pain of loss was profound but unavoidable.
“Death knows no age. If it did, my niece, Shamiso, would have said to God why take me first, young as I am, ahead of my uncle, who is much older than me,” the President told mourners.
He added that while death is painful, refusal to accept it could bring further tragedy, saying, “If you do not accept it, you might equally face your demise”.
Shamiso, whose grandmother was President Mnangagwa’s sister, had been residing at the family homestead in Bikita.
Her age, marital status, and cause of death were not disclosed during the proceedings.
The funeral drew senior government and Zanu PF officials, including Zanu PF National Chairman and Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, and Zanu PF Secretary for Information and Publicity Christopher Mutsvangwa.
Also present were government ministers, politburo members, members of parliament, business figures, friends and relatives.
No further official statements on Shamiso’s passing had been released by Sunday evening.