Harare(New Ziana) – Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutswangwa on Monday mourned television personality, Zororo Makamba, the country’s first coronavirus victim.

He died on Monday, three days after being admitted to Wilkins Hospital following a positive test for Covid-19 last week.

Makamba, who produced a television programme – the State of the Nation – is believed to have contracted coronavirus in the United States sometime early this year.

He fell ill shortly after returning home, and tests subsequently confirmed he had the Covid-19 infection, becoming the second case in the country.

The first case was of a man who had also just recently returned to the country as well, in his case from Manchester in the United Kingdom.

He is recovering in hospital in Victoria Falls.

Mutswangwa said she had been shocked and ‘extremely’ saddened by the death of Makamba, whom she – in her official capacity- professionally interacted well.

“As the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, I constantly and continuously worked with Zororo on his much watched and greatly appreciated State of the Nation programme on Zimbabwe television,” she said.

“He was a young, intelligent and dynamic man that infused talent and passion for his work with intense patriotic pride. He always exuded that confidence in the face of daunting challenges. He communicated with promise and hope in the economic prospects of his beloved Zimbabwe,” she added.

Mutswangwa urged the public to adhere to recommended Covid-19 health precautions as the country heightens its testing and surveillance for the disease in the wake of the outbreak.

The government has declared coronavirus a national disaster, and imposed a series of stringent precautionary measures, including banning large gatherings, and closing schools, colleges and universities.

It has also set up state of the art isolation, testing and treatment centres in key towns and cities.

New Ziana