Africa News
Robert Mugabe's sister, Bridget, dies─── 05:43 Mon, 20 Jan 2014
Harare - President Robert Mugabe’s only surviving sister Bridget Mugabe died Sunday day morning at Parirenyatwa Hospital, family members have confirmed. She was 79.
Bridget collapsed at the burial of her sister Sabina at the National Heroes Acre in 2010 and was admitted at Parirenyatwa Hospital. She had been in the intensive care unit at the health centre for over three years while in a coma.
Meanwhile Zimbabwe continues to be in frenzied speculation over Mugabe’s health. Last month anonymous Facebook activist Baba Jukwa claimed Mugabe’s health had deteriorated and he had suffered a collapse.
According to state media reports Mugabe returned home Friday (11 January) from Singapore where he spent part of his annual leave. But to reinforce its story the Herald newspaper proceeded to use a fake picture.
The paper used a picture of Mugabe returning from the AU summit in Addis Ababa in January 2013. This continued to fuel speculation about the health of the Zanu PF leader who turns 90 next month and has been in power for nearly 34 years.
In a subsequent interview with Nehanda Radio several weeks ago Baba Jukwa said “There is so much cover-up by the intelligence at present but please do understand I never said Mugabe has died. I only give you the facts as I see and hear them.”
Mugabe’s spokesman George Charamba, who is also the Permanent Secretary for Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, insists Mugabe is well and completing his annual leave at his Borrowdale home. Vice President Joice Mujuru continues as Acting President until President Mugabe’s leave is over.
Mugabe’s spokesman George Charamba, who is also the Permanent Secretary for Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, insists Mugabe is well and completing his annual leave at his Borrowdale home. Vice President Joice Mujuru continues as Acting President until President Mugabe’s leave is over.
Mugabe’s uncharacteristic silence since he arrived has prompted a wave of messages on social media networks speculating about a turn for the worse in his health, or even his death. The tragic death of his sister provides an opportunity for him to come out in public and quash the speculation.
Kaitano Mugabe a nephew to the President who said he stays in Highfield confirmed the death.
“It is true that she has passed on. Hers is a long story of painful struggle since she collapsed during the burial of her sister aunt Sabina in 2010. She has never been well, she never recovered. Her resting is God’s will,” Kaitano told The Zimbabwe Mail in an interview.
Kaitano said burial arrangements were yet to be announced.
“We are yet to meet as a family and that is when we will be told her exact age as well as the process for her burial to be announced. As far as I know they had a three year difference across the family,” said Kaitano.
Bridget has been on life support since she collapsed at the National Heroes’ Acre during the burial of Sabina one of President Mugabe’s in August 2010.
Kaitano Mugabe said Bridget had been a family pillar particularly during the President’s time in prison at the height of the liberation struggle.
“She helped us all including Sabina’s children as well as assisting our father Donatos. She helped us go through our education up to secondary school,” Kaitano said adding her death had robbed the family of a hardworking servant.
One of Mugabe’s nephews Robert Zhuwawo young brother to former Zvimba East legislator Patrick tweated.
“Dark heavy clouds and my heart is bleeding I have just lost my aunt Bridget Mugabe this morning”.
Bridget suffered a stroke soon after the death of her elder sister, Sabina Mugabe in 2010 and since then, she had been in the intensive care unit.
Born on the 8th of October 1935, Bridget was the only surviving sister to President Mugabe.
Among those consoling the first family at State House in Harare were Zanu PF senior party members who included Acting President Joice Mujuru and the Secretary for Administration, Didymus Mutasa, services chiefs and other senior government officials.
Family spokesperson, Mr Kaitano Mugabe described the late Bridget Mugabe as a brave woman, unifier, pillar of strength and a source of wisdom.
He expressed grief on the passing away of Bridget Mugabe, saying the late sister to the President assumed the role of a family provider during the incarceration of President Mugabe during the liberation struggle.
"She played a key role in the family during the liberation struggle, especially when President Mugabe and other older family members were incarcerated. She was a young lady by then but she took care of us until we finished school," he said.
Father Fidelis Mukonori, who worked together with the late Bridget at Silveira Mission, spoke at length about the early life of Tete Bridget and described her as a bold and uncompromising individual.
According to the family spokesperson, the body of the late Tete Bridget will leave Harare on Monday afternoon ahead of burial on Tuesday at the family’s rural home in Kutama.
Bridget, who was a member of Zanu PF, leaves behind a daughter, Lorraine and several grandchildren.
According to the family spokesperson, the body of the late Tete Bridget will leave Harare on Monday afternoon ahead of burial on Tuesday at the family’s rural home in Kutama.
Bridget, who was a member of Zanu PF, leaves behind a daughter, Lorraine and several grandchildren.
Zimbabwe Mail
