Harare (New Ziana) -Zimbabwe Investment and Development Authority (ZIDA) chief executive officer Douglas Munatsi has died.

Munatsi died in a fire in his ninth floor penthouse apartment in the city in the early hours of Monday.

Police said they were investigating the fire incident.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police is investigating a fire incident which occurred at C9 Northfield Flats, Corner Fifth and Josiah Tongogara Avenue, Harare in which ZIDA CEO, Douglas Munatsi passed on. The incident is said to have occurred at 0300 hours this morning. More details to follow,” said police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi.

Owners of the Northfields block of flats said the Fire Brigade was called and managed to put out the fire, but unfortunately could not save Munatsi.

“The association wishes to advise that at approximately 02.50AM, on Monday 29th November, a fire was detected by the occupant of flat C9 in Northfields.There was no electricity at the time due to a cable fault. The occupant in C10 heard commotion and noise, and went to his balcony to investigate further .There, he heard from the occupant of C9 that there was a fire and he asked to call the fire brigade. At 02.59, the fire brigade was called, and they arrived at 03.11.

“They fought the blaze for two hours, and despite their efforts, they were unable to save the occupant of C9 , who is believed to be Mr Douglas Munatsi,” said Northfields Owners Association chairman only identified as Gardiner in a statement.

Munatsi was a successful farmer and former BanABC chief executive officer.

He was appointed ZIDA chief executive officer in March last year.

New Ziana