Harare - Some opposition leaders have condemned online attacks on the late Linda Tsungirirai Masarira, after social media users branded the LEAD president “a sellout” and welcomed her death as “good riddance.” Masarira, president of the Labour, Economists and African Democrats (LEAD), died suddenly, Sunday in Harare. She was 43.
A postmortem was conducted late Tuesday afternoon at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals.
A somber mood hung over Nyaradzo Funeral Parlour on Herbert Chitepo Street as the casket bearing her remains was loaded into a Nyaradzo vehicle outside the chapel.
Masarira’s children wept uncontrollably during the body-viewing ceremony, moving many mourners to tears. Transform Zimbabwe leader Jacob Ngarivhume, once close to Masarira before their fallout, faced criticism for comments seen as unsympathetic.
Ngarivhume later issued a brief statement walking back his rebuke but maintained that she had “sold out.” He was absent from yesterday’s service.
MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora said he was saddened by the treatment of the late LEAD president. “We will see a convergence of opposition forces, democratic forces, but this unity cannot be forced. There are a few fundamentals that make it sustainable,” Mwonzora told mourners.
“First, there must be mutual respect among the opposition forces. Second, there must be de-escalation of conflict. You can see that even in a day, some opposition members were denigrating Linda, well-knowing that she was no more. With that type of attitude, it is very difficult to stitch unity.”
NCA leader Lovemore Madhuku echoed the call for restraint. “As NCA we knew Linda as a politician. She always wanted to bring out her thoughts. Whether we agreed or not, we respected everyone’s opinion,” he said. “Linda was clear on Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3. She supported the bill. I did not agree with her on everything regarding it. She stood for women and was very sharp on political issues, advocating for growth and inclusion of women in politics. She wanted to be Zimbabwean president but failed to contest due to the US$20,000 nomination fees in the 2023 elections. We have lost a young leader who loved her country.”
Madhuku rebuked those “bad-mouthing Masarira in death.” He added: “To those who held grudges with Linda: This is not the time, because she is no more. The Lord will forgive her if she made mistakes in life. Let us learn to forgive each other, bearing in mind that Linda has departed this world. Let us pray for her.”
Former trade unionist, ex-Labour Minister in the Government of National Unity, and former legislator Paurina Mupariwa said she was “feeling sad and empty.”
“Linda’s death is a great loss to us and Zimbabwe as a whole. Her loss is difficult to comprehend. We were friends in the struggle. She was strong in whatever she believed in. An open-minded young woman who did a lot for the nation. Go well, my sister,” Mupariwa said.