Online Reporter
George Maponga
Masvingo Bureau
Chiefs council deputy president Chief Fortune Charumbira has set the record straight on the death of Manicaland provincial chiefs’ assembly chair, Senator Chief Mapungwana, born Mr Ananias Mapungwana, who died on Monday afternoon in Bulawayo.
Chief Charumbira, this afternoon, clarified that Chief Mapungwana did not collapse during the independence celebrations in Maphisa, Matabeleland South, on Saturday, adding that the late Senator died at a private hospital in Bulawayo on Monday afternoon.
Initial press reports claimed that Chief Mapungwana collapsed during Independence Day national festivities in Maphisa and was rushed to United Bulawayo Hospital, where he later on passed on.
Chief Charumbira clarified that Chief Mapungwana attended uhuru celebrations, after which he went to a Bulawayo hotel where chiefs were booked.
“I want to set the record straight with regards to Chief Mapungwana’s death to correct false information that has been peddled in the media,” said Chief Charumbira.
“Chief Mapungwana did not collapse in Maphisa, in fact, he went to Bulawayo after the celebrations in Maphisa where about 30 chiefs were in attendance, including chairpersons of the respective provincial chiefs’ assembly.”
According to Chief Charumbira, he was also booked at the same Bulawayo hotel where Chief Mapungwana spent the night on Saturday evening after attending uhuru celebrations.
“On Sunday, around 7 am, I received a call from the hotel reception(at a Bulawayo Hotel) informing me that Chief Mapungwana was sick.”
“Together with a couple of other chiefs present who took him to a private medical facility about 100 metres from our hotel where we mobilised US$540 to help facilitate his admission after the facility demanded US$300 upfront.”
Chief Charumbira said Chief Mapungwana was sweating heavily and it emerged that he had an existing heart condition, while the medical team at the facility also said his blood sugar level was too high.
“He (Chief Mapungwana) actually spoke to us at the facility but by Sunday evening I was informed that he was on life support,” added Chief Charumbira.
“I was shocked when I received a message that Chief Mapungwana had died yesterday (Monday) afternoon because earlier on in the morning, his wife had informed me that he was getting better.”
Chief Charumbira said when Chief Mapungwana arrived at the Bulawayo Hotel last Friday enroute to Maphisa the next day, the traditional leader was evidently sick and frail.
