Tinotenda Hove- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been criticised for telling mourners at a funeral in Bikita to simply “accept death” as God’s plan, with critics saying the remarks were tone-deaf to a nation grappling with loss, poverty and collapsing services.

The President, who was accompanied by First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, spoke on Sunday while addressing mourners at his niece’s funeral at the family homestead in Bikita district, Masvingo Province.

“Death knows no age. If it did, my niece, Shamiso, would have said to God why take me first, young as I am, ahead of my uncle, who is much older than me,” said President Mnangagwa.

He doubled down on the message to the bereaved family.
“Death is very painful but it has to be accepted, If you do not accept it, you might equally face your demise,” said President Mnangagwa.

Shamiso, whose grandmother was President Mnangagwa’s sister, was residing at the family homestead.

The remarks come as hundreds of Government Ministers, Zanu PF Politburo members, Members of Parliament, business people, friends and relatives gathered at the homestead for the burial. Among them was Zanu PF National Chairman and Defence Minister, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri and Zanu PF Secretary for Information and Publicity, Christopher Mutsvangwa.

Critics have blasted the President for using a family funeral to preach “fatalism” instead of addressing the conditions that are cutting lives short across Zimbabwe, from an overburdened health system to road carnage and economic hardship.

“Instead of accountability, we are being told to accept death,” one mourner who asked not to be named said. “That is not leadership, that is resignation.”

The President’s comments have reignited anger over what many describe as a leadership style that avoids responsibility while ordinary families bear the cost of the country’s deepening crisis.