COVID-19 surges as 4th Minister dies in Zimbabwe

HARARE, Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe's Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister and Zanu-PF Mashonaland East chairperson Dr Joel Biggie Matiza (pictured) has died.

A veteran of the liberation struggle and a renowned architect by profession,  Matiza died of Covid-19 related illness last night at St Anne’s Hospital in Harare aged 60.

Information Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa confirmed Minister Matiza’s death in a statement, extolling his legacy of hard work and diligence.

"Covid-19 has claimed yet another Cabinet member in Hon Joel Biggie Matiza, Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development.

"Minister JB Matiza brought a new beginning and added vigour to the development of our road network, both trunk and  ancillary." said Minister Mutsvangwa.

She added: “He employed equal zeal  in airline, railway infrastructure recovery.

ZanuPF Mashonaland East political commissar Cde Hebert Shumbamhini said the province had received the news of Cde Matiza’s death with shock.

"We are still in shock. He succumbed to Covid-19 this evening at around 7pm at St Anne’s Hospital in Harare where he was admitted,” he said.

Born on August 17, 1960 in Murehwa, Dr Matiza was Murehwa South House of Assembly member and his previous portfolios in Government include being Minister of State for Mashonaland East Province.

At the time of his death, he was also a Zanu PF Central Committee member and previously served in Government as Deputy Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing.

Minister Matiza’s death comes at a time the nation is still in deep mourning following the death on Wednesday of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Sibusiso Moyo, who has since been declared a National Hero.

He will be buried on Wednesday at the National Heroes Acre in Harare.

This week, President Mnangagwa presided over the burials of the late Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba and the late Zanu PF Central Committee member Moton Dizzy Paul Malianga at the National Heroes Acre.

Early this month, the country lost decorated military commander, Brigadier-General Collin Moyo (Retired), who was buried at the national shrine.

Dr. Matiza became the fourth Minister to die of Covid-19 related complications following the deaths of Dr Moyo, Dr Gwaradzimba and former Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement Minister Perrance Shiri.

The late Dr Gwaradzimba also died after testing positive for the virus which is threatening to overwhelm the health services.