Moreblessing Ali’s Funeral Marred by Political Disruption, Family Left Fuming
The funeral of Moreblessing Ali, a slain activist of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), in Chitungwiza on Saturday was marred by turmoil as political agitators, purportedly aligned with former party leader Nelson Chamisa, caused disturbances, leaving Ali’s family dismayed.
Ali, who was brutally killed by Zanu PF activist Pius Jamba in May 2022, was laid to rest at Zororo Cemetery on the outskirts of the town. Similar to the memorial service held in Nyatsime in June 2022, the funeral became a battleground for political clashes between supporters of Zanu PF and the CCC.
This time, however, it was activists allegedly loyal to Chamisa who vehemently objected to opposition politician Job Sikhala addressing the mourners. Sikhala had been engaged as the family’s legal representative following Ali’s tragic murder and the subsequent grim discovery of her dismembered body.
Washington Ali, the brother of the deceased opposition activist, expressed profound dismay to ZimLive over the disruption of his sister’s funeral, describing it as a violation of the family’s grieving process.
“We felt violated,” he said.
“This was a private funeral.
“We felt people put their political ambitions ahead of our grief as a family.
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“Old people, relatives were not given space to perform the necessary rituals done at funerals. There was never even a prayer from the priest. We really felt violated.
“What is disappointing is that this is now a trend but nothing is being done to correct it.”
Ali added, “We saw something similar when Morgan Tsvangirai was being buried in his rural home in 2018.
“People are now in the habit of hijacking funerals …you come to an event and you want to dictate the situation.”
Below is the full statement Ali Family issued, rewritten:
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.