BEITBRIDGE Senator Tambudzani Mohadi (Zanu PF) and Proportional Representation lawmaker Sithabisiwe Mulowa (Citizens Coalition for Change, CCC) had an embarrassing bust-up at the funeral of an opposition member in the border town on Monday.
The CCC activist, Blessing Choeni, passed away last week.
Mohadi and Mulowa had a short, but sharp exchange of words at a VIP tent where Choeni’s relatives and colleagues had gathered to pay homage to Beitbridge’s most controversial and outspoken politician.
Mulowa described Choeni as a powerful and fearless person who helped the CCC to win all local government seats in Beitbridge urban.
“He was a powerful hand to the CCC achievements and will be missed by many,” she said.
As people prepared to depart for the graveyard, Mohadi and Mulowa met as they paid condolences to Kiabetso Malutha, a cousin of Choeni.
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Mohadi was holding Malutha’s hand when Mulowa arrived for the same purpose and held the other hand.
Instead of sympathising with the bereaved Malutha, the two exchanged harsh words, with Mohadi accusing Mulowa of wanting to embarrass Zanu PF.
Mulowa shot back as the two traded political jabs in the presence of bemused mourners.
The verbal battle ended, but the grandstanding was not over.
Zanu PF had not been given a chance to speak in town with only CCC members given the platform to address mourners.
The funeral entourage later left for Tshibhidzanani village, for his final resting place, where the ruling party draws most of its support.
At the village, Zanu PF took charge, reducing CCC officials to mere bystanders.
Mohadi, Beitbridge Rural District Council chairperson Oscar Chiromo, former Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs minister Aaron Maboyi Ncube and other Zanu PF faithful and traditional leaders spoke as relatives to the departed.
Choeni, who succumbed to liver complications, carried controversy to the grave as political parties fought for ownership of his history, which saw him father 13 children.
Some of his children flew from across the world to bury the man who was an influential figure in the Free Zim Congress led by Joseph Busha.
He jumped Busha’s ship to join the CCC.