BY MOSES MATENGA FOREIGN Affairs Minister Sibusiso Moyo (60) has died.
The former army general, who has been battling a kidney ailment requiring regular dialysis, died after a long illness with close government sources saying he succumbed to COVID-19 at a local private hospital.
In a statement, President Mnangagwa said Moyo succumbed to Covid19 at a private hospital in Harare. Mnangagwa said further funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.
It is with a heavy heart that I announce Foreign Minister Dr SB Moyo has died.
Zimbabwe has lost a devoted public servant and a true hero, and I have lost a friend. He fought his entire life so that Zimbabwe could be free.
May he rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/sdXHXyFjWF
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— President of Zimbabwe (@edmnangagwa) January 20, 2021
“His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa regrets to announce the passing on early this morning of SB Moyo, our Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. The late Minister succumbed to COVID-19 at a local hospital,” Presidential spokesperson George Charamba said.
Moyo became a household name after announcing the military takeover that led to the ouster of the late former President Robert Mugabe via a military coup in November 2017.
The then army general, Moyo announced the military coup that toppled Zimbabwe’s long time leader, Robert Mugabe in November 2017.
Moyo was husband to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission chairperson, Loice Matanda-Moyo.
President @edmnangagwa regrets to announce the passing on of Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr SB Moyo. Further developments in due course. pic.twitter.com/lQSgKLg0PG
— Ministry of Information, Publicity & Broadcasting (@InfoMinZW) January 20, 2021
Moyo is the latest top government official to succumb to COVID-19 after last week’s demise of Manicaland provincial affairs Minister Ellen Gwaradzimba.
Meanwhile, condolence messages continue to pour for SB Moyo with the Dutch Ambassador Barbara van Hellemond saying Zimbabwe has lost a key player in Zimbabwe’s re-engagement process.
Ambassador @bvanhellemond and the Embassy staff send condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Minister SB Moyo.
The re-engagement process between #Zimbabwe and the world has lost its champion. pic.twitter.com/sFa3EnEPuM
— Dutch Embassy Harare 🇳🇱 (@NLinZimbabwe) January 20, 2021
The Embassy of Spain in Zimbabwe expresses its deepest condolences to the Government and the People of Zimbabwe on the passing away of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Commerce, Honourable S.B. Moyo today. Our sympathy also to the Honourable's family and friends pic.twitter.com/YBi5AIiYy2
— EmbEspañaZimbabwe (@EmbEspZimbabwe) January 20, 2021