The family of the late Moreblessing Ali has condemned the violence that erupted during her burial at Zororo Memorial Park in Chitungwiza on Saturday, 02 March.
Suspected opposition supporters, some believed to be aligned with former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) president Nelson Chamisa, clashed with alleged supporters of the Ali family’s lawyer Job Sikhala, who is a former CCC vice chairman.
While it is not clear what sparked the clashes, Chamisa’s alleged supporters reportedly blocked Sikhala from giving a graveside speech accusing him of betraying the “opposition struggle.”
In a statement, the family’s spokesperson Washington Ali, who is a brother to the late Moreblessing, described the violent scene as “distressing”, saying they have reported the incidents to the police. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
Statement Regarding the Violence at Moreblessing Ali’s burial.
We, the members of the Ali family, express our profound disapproval of the violent incidents that unfolded during the burial of our dear family member, Moreblessing Ali, on March 2, 2024.
Our original intent was to bid farewell to our relative with the utmost dignity and without the distressing scenes we unfortunately witnessed.
Our family firmly maintained the position that Moreblessing Ali’s interment would not proceed until our family lawyer, Honorable Job Sikhala, was released from prison.
We had engaged Hon. Sikhala to represent us when we were in the dark about Moreblessing Ali’s whereabouts following her disappearance in May 2022.
His legal expertise guided us through the intricate legal landscape, enabling us to seek answers about our relative’s fate. 
We patiently awaited Hon. Sikhala’s release, recognizing the sacrifices he made on behalf of our family.
As a united family, we convened multiple meetings to ensure that the unfortunate events of June 14, 2022, would not recur. 
Our collective decision was clear: Moreblessing Ali’s burial would adhere strictly to the family’s wishes and desires.
Politics, party affiliations, slogans, and any interference with the family’s intentions were categorically prohibited. The funeral program would unfold according to our internal arrangements.
Regrettably, certain individuals disrupted the solemnity of the occasion by injecting politics and slogans into the proceedings.
Their actions led to violence and insults, which we find utterly unacceptable.
Furthermore, some even took it upon themselves to dictate the funeral program, disregarding the family’s expressed wishes.
As a family, we have taken the necessary steps to involve law enforcement in addressing the disruptive behaviour during our loved one’s funeral.
It is crucial that we curb this behaviour promptly to foster a culture of respect for funerals and memorial services.
The inhumane, insensitive, and reprehensible actions witnessed have deeply affected our family.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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Moreblessing Ali's Family Condemn Violence At Her Burial

Violence broke out at the funeral of Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) activist Moreblessing Ali on Saturday, 02 March.
Ali was buried at Zororo Memorial Park in Chitungwiza, almost two years after her murder, with hundreds of opposition supporters in attendance.
According to <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/ccc-factional-fights-erupt-at-funeral-job-sikhala-allys-car-stoned/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>, the mourners sang songs like Siyanai naye Chamisa, Mupanduki tengesa uone mashura; Mobi (Moreblessing) akaurayiwa tinozviziva; Chamisa Mai Mwana; Taakuda/vaakuda kuchema; Chera mwana mupanduki nguva yaakuda kupera and Sikhala huya angabude sei akavharirwa nemasasikamu.
One mourner, presumably aligned to former CCC leader Nelson Chamisa, accused the party’s former vice chairman Job Sikhala of causing problems in the opposition CCC saying, “Ibva pano Sikhala, wakatengesa (Leave this place immediately. You sold out the opposition struggle.”
It is alleged that councillor Darlington Musonza, an alleged Sikhala ally, slapped two women in the face resulting in punches being exchanged.
Musonza’s vehicle was later stoned by the angry mob dressed in blue as he sought refuge in his car.
He pepper-sprayed the mob and drove off towards the cemetery exit leaving the crowd shouting obscenities.
The mourners wearing blue t-shirts also accused Musonza of being a womaniser and being a land baron.
The Ali family’s lawyer Job Sikhala remained calm throughout and carried the coffin bearing Ali’s remains from the Nyaradzo Funeral Parlour to the grave.
<a href="https://www.thestandard.co.zw/news/article/200023898/moreblessing-ali-buried-amid-ccc-violence">The Standard</a> reported that some unruly mourners were engaged in running battles with two factions, one behind Chamisa and the other behind Sikhala throwing stones at each other while others exchanged blows.
Ali (46), was abducted in May 2022 outside a bar at Chibhanguza in Nyatsime, a neighbourhood of Chitungwiza town on the outskirts of Harare.
Her body, cut into pieces, was found in a well in the area more than two weeks later, resulting in violent clashes between CCC supporters and ZANU PF activists.
Pius Mukandi, alias Jamba was later jailed for 30 years for the murder.
Ali’s remains had remained in a government morgue until her burial.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Mourners Clash At Moreblessing Ali's Burial

Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) activist Moreblessing Ali was finally buried on Saturday, 02 March, almost two years after her murder.
Ali was buried at Zororo Memorial Park in Chitungwiza, with hundreds of opposition supporters in attendance.
Sadly, vioelence broke out between supporters of the Ali family’s lawyer Job Sikhala and those aligned to former CCC leader Nelson Chamisa.
As reported by <a href="https://www.thestandard.co.zw/news/article/200023898/moreblessing-ali-buried-amid-ccc-violence">The Standard</a>, the burial only resumed after tensions cooled down following the intervention of elders.
Moreblessing’s father Farai Ali said she was pained by the manner in which his daughter was murdered. Said Ali:
<blockquote>
It really pains my heart that my daughter was murdered, and cut into pieces like chicken.
She died a very painful death. Moreblessing was a hard worker; She built this house on her own…
Before she was murdered, she called me on the phone and told me that her husband wanted to finish paying lobola.
We would never have guessed that she was about to leave us.
</blockquote>
Her mother, Judith Chisiwa said the family yearns to know how Moreblessing was murdered. She said:
<blockquote>
We still demand answers. We wonder how they murdered her. We are shocked; we were robbed of a very humble and loving daughter. It’s so painful. I hope and pray my daughter finally rests in peace.
</blockquote>
Ali’s brother, Wellington said the family was harassed after Moreblessing’s murder. He said:
<blockquote>
The truth must be told so that we may find peace and closure. Soon after we heard that Moreblessing was killed, we were harassed and assaulted after we gathered to mourn her.
I will not mention names of the people, but what I want to say is that there are evil and heartless people out there.
</blockquote>
Ali’s daughter, Nyasha said: “I still have a lot of questions. We had arranged to go to the farm over a telephone conversation. I did not know that that was my last time talking to her.”
Sikhala said Moreblessing’s death will not be in vain. He said:
<blockquote>
The bones of Moreblessing Ali that were put to rest today (yesterday) shall rise again.
Her death is not in vain. It will surely have a role to play in the future politics of this country.
But the lesson that we have all learnt is that never again will we lose a life because of political differences.
</blockquote>
Ali was killed by Pius Mukandi, who then dismembered her body and placed the parts into a sack which he threw into a disused well at his mother’s plot in Nyatsime in May 2022.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Moreblessing Ali Finally Buried

The late Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) activist Moreblessing Ali will be buried on Saturday, 02 March, almost two years after her gruesome murder in Nyatsime, Chitungwiza.
Ali’s burial was delayed following the arrest and prolonged pre-trial detention of family lawyer Job Sikhala whom the family insisted should be present.
Sikhala, who was released last month after spending 595 days at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison for allegedly inciting the public to avenge Ali’s murder, said the late activist will be buried at Zororo Cemetery in Chitungwiza on Saturday. Sikhala posted on X:
<blockquote>
I announce the burial of our heroine Moreblessing Ali on Saturday the 2nd of March 2024 at Zororo Cemetery at 12:30 PM.
All friends, relatives and colleagues are invited to this memorable event. We are bringing closure to this sad chapter in our country.
</blockquote>
Ali’s remains had been in a mortuary since her dismembered body was discovered in June 2022 in a disused well at the home of Laina Mukandi, the mother to Pius Mukandi, alias Jamba, who was convicted of her murder.
Pius is now serving a 30-year jail term after he was found guilty of Ali’s murder by High Court Judge Justice Esther Muremba in December 2023.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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