Freedom Mashava, Visuals Editor 
Zimbabwe’s Foreign Affairs and International Trade minister Sibusiso Moyo has succumbed to Covid 19, in Harare.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations Minister Sibusiso Moyo succumbed to Covid-19
He was 61.
Moyo’s death yesterday comes as several other high-profile Zimbabweans, including cabinet ministers, are reeling from the deadly disease with people like Kombo Moyana, the first black Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor, Ellen Gwaradzimba, Manicaland Provincial Affairs minister and Perrance Shiri, who was the Agriculture minister, having died from the lethal disease.
The former army general, famed for announcing the November 2017 coup that removed the late former president Robert Mugabe, was married to High Court judge and Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission chairperson Loice Matanda-Moyo.
“His Excellency the President (Emmerson) Mnangagwa, regrets to announce the passing on early this morning of … Moyo, our minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. The late minister succumbed to Covid-19 at a local hospital.
“The nation will be kept appraised of further developments regarding this untimely demise of the late minister, himself a decorated soldier and freedom fighter,” Mnangagwa said in a statement issued through George Charamba, the acting chief secretary to the president and cabinet.
Several embassies yesterday sent messages of condolence, describing Moyo as a courageous diplomat, who played a key role in trying to bring Zimbabwe back to the family of nations, after years of isolation.
European Union Ambassador to Zimbabwe Timo Olkkonen said Zimbabwe had lost a professional Foreign minister.
“While we had our fair share of differences of views and opinions, I always valued our frank, open and good humored exchanges. We could always tackle even difficult issues head on. I will miss those exchanges,” he said.
“While I can’t claim to have known him well on a personal level, I am well aware he was highly regarded also by his colleagues as a great personality. I was very touched last year when he sent a personal letter of condolences when my own father passed away. MHSRIP.”
The Dutch ambassador in Harare, Barbara van Hellemond, said “the re-engagement process between Zimbabwe and the world has lost its champion.”
The Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe also issued a statement.
“The Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe is deeply saddened by the passing of … Moyo. Moyo has been a dear friend to China and a strong supporter of the deep friendship between China and Zimbabwe,” the statement reads.
“His outstanding contribution to the excellent relations between the two countries will be forever remembered. “In this sorrowful time, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and to the government and people of Zimbabwe.
“May our condolences bring you peace during this painful time. China continues to stand strong with Zimbabwe to overcome the pandemic and all the challenges that may come our way in the years to come.”
Meanwhile, Gideon Gono, who was the RBZ governor between 2004 and 2014, said Moyana’s death left a “yawning gap” and was a “serious blow to our pool of indomitable expertise and experience”.
Gono said Moyana, who presided over the central bank between 1983 and 1993, was a sharp negotiator who had his country at heart. “It is a pity that the country could not fully harness his immense potential and reservoir of knowledge towards solving some of the economic challenges the country currently faces as I know and he told me that he stood ready to offer his expertise in a more visible and practical way,” he said.
Current RBZ governor, John Mangudya, said Moyana was a servant banker, who will be solely missed.
“It’s a sad loss for the country. We are losing human capital through this pandemic and we hope it will not continue to kill. We sympathise with the family. He was an industrious member of the financial sector,” Mangudya said.
Zimbabwe has recorded a surge in Covid-19 cases since the festive season. As of Wednesday January 20, 2021, there were 28 675 cases recorded and 825 deaths since the virus was detected in the country last March.
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