A DARK cloud has engulfed the Matabeleland region as people mourn Chief Marupi, born Oaheng Nare, who died in Harare on Sunday after a short illness.
The 28-year-old traditional leader’s death came a few days after armed robbers pounced on his homestead and stole his newly allocated Isuzu double-cab official vehicle, R2 700 and two mobile phones.
Chief Marupi was installed in 2012 after succeeding his father Lawrence, who had died four years earlier.
Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution minister Evelyn Ndlovu said the province had lost a young traditional leader who was still learning from his elderly colleagues.
“We have lost a young leader, not only in this province, but to the nation at large. Chiefs are under the Ministry of Local Government, so it is a loss to the government as well,” she said.
“We are not sure of the cause of his death, we will wait for the post mortem results. He was still learning from the elders, his death comes a few weeks after we lost Chief Kandana as well.”
Chief Kandana, of Bulilima district, died last month aged 72, having succumbed to a short illness at Plumtree Hospital.
Meanwhile, Chief’s Council president Chief Mtshane Khumalo also mourned Chief Marupi’s death saying they were looking to a long life forward.
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“It is sad. He was still young. We do not expect the young to die at such a young age. We do not know if his death is related to that unfortunate incident which he met,” Chief Khumalo said.
Gwanda resident Siduduzile Masilela expressed shock at the untimely death.
“It is so sad that we have lost such a young and vibrant traditional leader. We did not hear about his illness,” he said.
Chief Mathema also said he was pained by the death of the youthful traditional leader.
“I cannot say anything for now. It’s painful,” he said.
Gwanda Anti-Stock Theft Association (GASTA) Diaspora chairperson Victor Vodloza Sibanda, who is Chief Marupi’s subject, said the community was troubled by the untimely death.
“We are saddened by our chief’s death and we send our condolences to the family and the community. We were looking up to him for many things that would develop our community and prevent crime,” he said.
“The GASTA is shocked by this intimately death. Chief Marupi had started the work of gathering his people to form structures of GASTA in all villages so as to fight crime that involves stocktheft and violence.”
Police have launched investigations after armed gunmen stormed Chief Marupi’s homestead and robbed him.
The traditional leader received his official vehicle a few weeks ago from the government during a ceremony officiated by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in Harare.
