Online Reporter
Herald Correspondent
PROMINENT Zimbabwean businessman Mutumwa Mawere will be laid to rest on Monday morning at Fourways Memorial Park Cemetery in Johannesburg.
Mawere (66), who held South African citizenship, died in Johannesburg on January 15 from complications linked to a stroke he suffered in 2024.
The decision to bury him in South Africa follows a legal dispute between the paternal and maternal sides of his family over his final resting place.
The legal disagreements centred on a disagreement between the Maweres’ representatives, close paternal relatives, and Ms Irene Machiri, who represented the maternal side of the family.
Sources close to the matter indicate that the two factions were split over the final resting place of the tycoon.
The Maweres strongly advocated for the repatriation of the businessman’s remains to his country of birth, Zimbabwe, while Ms Machiri reportedly favoured a burial at Fourways Memorial Park, a private cemetery in South Africa.
The matter was taken to court as the dispute escalated.
Yesterday, the Johannesburg High Court ruled that Mawere should be buried in South Africa.
The court’s ruling cleared the way for funeral arrangements that had initially been scheduled for today (Friday) to proceed on Monday in Johannesburg.
Speaking on behalf of Zororo-Phumulani, the funeral services provider known for managing high-profile funerals, chief executive officer Mr Oliver Mufudze said the company is being guided by the family as it prepares to give the businessman a befitting sendoff.
“Our role is to serve the family with dignity, sensitivity and respect during this difficult time,” Mr Mufudze said. “We are working closely with the family to ensure that Mr Mawere is laid to rest in a manner that honours his life and fully reflects the wishes of the many lives that were touched by his generosity.”
The Zororo-Phumulani CEO added that the company’s logistics team was already on the ground and working around the clock to deliver a dignified and seamless service in line with the agreed family arrangements.
Mawere was a towering figure in Zimbabwean and South African business circles, with interests spanning mining, manufacturing and banking.
Educated in Zimbabwe, Eswatini, the United Kingdom and the United States, he held impressive academic qualifications including a BSc in Economics, an MSc in Management and an MBA in Finance and Investments, alongside several professional certifications.
