JUST IN: Memorial service for UZ Student . . . Body leaves South Africa for Zimbabwe

Roselyne Sachiti

Features, Health and Society Editor

• Mutapiri will be buried at Zororo Cemetery in Chitungwiza

• Mutapiri lost a prolonged battle with cancer in the early hours of Friday March 12.

A memorial service for the late University of Zimbabwe (UZ) student Steve John Mutapiri who last week lost his battle with cancer was held early today in South Africa.

The coffin carrying the remains of Steve Mutapi being loaded for repatriation.

Following the memorial service attended by a few relatives and friends, his body left for Zimbabwe at 2pm.

Zororo Phumulani, powered by Doves, is repatriating Mutapiri’s body.

Mutapiri lost a prolonged battle with cancer in the early hours of March 12, at Siloam Hospital in Limpopo Province, South Africa.

At the time of his death, Mutapiri was undergoing chemotherapy after Zororo-Phumulani and well-wishers pooled resources to pay for the medical expenses.

Zororo-Phumulani donated over 100 000 rand and well-wishers through the BackaBuddy and GoFundMe platforms also donated money to the Mutapiri family after they had appealed for help on various social media platforms and print media.

Relatives during a brief service that was held in Louis Tritchard

“Zororo-Phumulani is saddened by the passing on of Steve. We were on this journey together and the company will extend its helping hand until Steve reaches his final resting place in Zimbabwe,” Zororo-Phumulani Corporate Marketing manager, Roberta Mutimbiri said.

“We hoped that he was going to win the battle with cancer and continue with his studies but God has done his will. His ways are different from those of man.”