Zim GBC News | Gender and Community
BULAWAYO – Growing calls for an independent investigation have emerged surrounding the tragic death of Nkulumane legislator Desire Moyo, with increasing public questions about the official account of the accident that claimed the life of the prominent opposition lawmaker.
Moyo, a renowned political poet and Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) parliamentarian, died in the early hours of last Friday on the Bulawayo-Gweru highway. He was 45 years old.
The Research Institute of Zimbabwe (RIZ) confirmed it has received requests to verify the circumstances of the collision that killed the MP. RIZ executive director Felix Magalela Mafa Sibanda said the silence from official bodies has fueled public suspicion.
“We have been approached by people to ascertain whether this was foul play or an accident beyond reproach,” Sibanda stated.
“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.”
Sibanda emphasized the need for accountability, noting:
“As researchers sometimes we take things for granted that it’s natural, but now some sections of Zimbabweans are asking for the authenticity of that accident because up to now Parliament, it would appear has said anything about that accident in material and the wildlife management, which is the very critical component of our gross domestic product, has not said anything about the elephant that caused tragic death of Moyo.”
Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesperson Tami Mudzingwa said investigations are ongoing.
“We will provide feedback once the full details are available,” Mudzingwa said.
A firsthand account has emerged from Madzibaba Abel Moyo, a traditional healer whose shrine is near the accident site in Shangani. He claimed he and his patients were the first on the scene.
Moyo said the accident occurred around 2:15 AM when the vehicle encountered three elephants crossing the road.
“I think the driver panicked and hit one of them on the left back foot,” he recounted.
“The elephant screamed and fell before rolling. It then arose and walked about 200 metres from the scene where it laid and later died.”
The traditional healer described a harrowing scene where he braved himself to remove the deceased MP’s body from the wreckage before police arrived.
“I was afraid to go to the car and asked myself if there were people in it, but I could hear the radio playing,” Moyo said.
“While still thinking of what to do, one of the occupants came out and called me to assist, saying people were trapped in the car.”
He added that he had to rush to his shrine to collect gloves before removing Moyo from the wreckage.
“It was not easy to remove him, but as a traditional healer and prophet I had to speak to spirits asking them to allow us to remove the body until finally we managed to do so,” he explained.
The accident occurred in the Shangani area, known for seasonal migratory elephant routes.
A local villager, who preferred anonymity, confirmed the ongoing danger and appealed to the Ministry of Transport to erect warning signs for motorists.
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