Amos Midzi died of poisoning: Autopsy

By Tendai Mugabe and Daniel Kachere

HARARE – A post-mortem conducted yesterday on former Zanu-PF Harare provincial chairman and Cabinet Minister Amos Midzi’s body, which was recovered from his car at his farm in Beatrice on Tuesday, revealed that he died of poisoning.

The post-mortem was carried out by a team of three doctors.

In a statement last night, police chief spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said further samples were taken for toxicology tests.

“A post-mortem was conducted on Midzi’s body yesterday,” she said.

“Three doctors concluded that the death was due to market pulmonary oedema due to poisoning and some further samples have been taken for toxicology and we are waiting for the results.”

Police recovered a one-litre bottle of poisonous methamidophos and sleeping tablets from Midzi’s vehicle, raising fears that he could have committed suicide.

A cup containing a bluish liquid was also recovered from the car, a Ford Everest registration number ACY 3329, grey in colour, which had all doors locked.

Midzi will be buried on Saturday at Glen Forest Memorial Park.

The death of Midzi saw the resurfacing of former Vice President Dr Joice Mujuru since she disappeared from the public eye in December last year.

Dr Mujuru was last seen during the body viewing of national hero Lloyd Kotsho Dube at Stodart Hall on December 7 2014.

She was at Midzi’s residence yesterday where she paid her condolences.

Dr Mujuru was in the company of her close confidantes who were also expelled from Zanu-PF, Messrs Didymus Mutasa and Rugare Gumbo.

Others accompanying Dr Mujuru were former Minister of State in her office, Mr Sylvester Nguni, former Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs Mr Kudakwashe Bhasikiti and former Zanu-PF Central Committee member Mr Munyaradzi Banda.

The faction allegedly led by Dr Mujuru is fronting a political outfit trading under the banner of “People First” which has indicated that it will challenge Zanu-PF in 2018.

Gumbo said they were saddened by Midzi’s untimely death.

“We are saddened by the sudden death of Cde Midzi,” he said. “He was a gallant fighter and he had a bright future in politics.

“Cde Midzi did a lot for Zimbabwe as ambassador and recently as a Member of Parliament he was involved in issues relating to foreign affairs. We want to convey our heartfelt condolences to the Midzi family.”

Mr Gumbo said although Midzi belonged to a faction that was kicked out of Zanu-PF for allegedly plotting to unseat President Mugabe, they did not suspect any foul play.

“We do not usually want to go by speculation and whatever happens the police is going to tell us,” he said.

“We were all here, including Mai Mujuru, Mutasa and Bhasikiti. Mai Mujuru sent a message of condolence to the family.”

The MDC Renewal Team also sent a condolence message to the Midzi family.

The party said in a statement: “The MDC Renewal Team notes with concern the death of Zanu-PF’s Amos Midzi on Tuesday at his farm in Marirangwe under unclear circumstances.

“As the MDC Renewal Team we are concerned that Midzi’s death comes at a time when there is total disregard of the rule of law by the Zanu-PF regime with the recent callous abduction and disappearance of human rights activist Itai Dzamara still fresh in our minds and remaining unsolved.”

Midzi’s young brother, who is also the family spokesperson, Dr Stanley Midzi, said they were waiting for the deceased’s children who are in the US to arrive for the burial.

“We have since contracted Nyaradzo Funeral Services and burial is set for Saturday at Glen Forest Memorial Park,” he said.

“We are also waiting for his children who are in New York and California and they are arriving on Friday.” The Herald