Online Reporter
Trust Freddy
Herald Correspondent
HUNDREDS of mourners, including senior Government officials, heads of state agencies, and members of the clergy, have gathered at Chavhunduka Village in Musana, Bindura District, today for the burial of Mrs Chipo Reza.
Mrs Reza (63), wife to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) chairperson Mr Michael Reza, collapsed at her Harare home last Sunday afternoon and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Borrowdale Trauma Centre.
The high-profile burial has drawn a huge crowd from across the country to the Reza family’s rural homestead, located about a kilometre from Rutope High School along Shamva Road.
Among the dignitaries attending the burial are Attorney-General Mrs Virginia Mabhiza, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe, Deputy Prosecutor-General Mr Nelson Mutsonziwa, and several ZACC Commissioners.
Addressing the mourners, AG Mabhiza—who described the late Mrs Reza as her daughter-in-law—paid a moving tribute to her gentle character and unwavering faith.
“I witnessed her good works,” said AG Mabhiza. “I would speak to her over the phone more often. She was very soft, gentle and after speaking to her, I would also calm down because sometimes our work does not allow us to be soft. My daughter-in-law would always tell me that she would pray for me regularly.”
AG Mabhiza commended the solidarity shown by public officials, relatives, and the Christian community during the family’s hour of grief.
“On behalf of Government, we always preach unity and peace. To the ZACC chairperson, Mr Reza, as Government, we are with you in this difficult time,” she said.
“I would like to thank all Government officials who have been coming to pay their condolences, and above all, I would like to thank friends, relatives, and especially the church.
“The church gives us comfort and eases our pain. Whenever we see members of the church at a funeral, it brings us some relief, even though our hearts are still heavy.”
She also requested the church to sustain its prayers for public officials “so that they serve justice with mercy.”
Local villagers described Mrs Reza as a loving community leader who maintained an open-door policy.
Mrs Reza and her husband recently donated chairs to the Chindotwe Methodist Church in Zimbabwe (MCZ) society in the Mumhurwi Circuit.
Scores of pastors from the MCZ, where Mrs Reza served as a Ruwadzano chairwoman and Church Steward, alongside various other denominations, are currently leading the burial proceedings.
Mrs Reza is survived by her husband, Mr Reza, four children, and 11 grandchildren.
