The family of Anne Nhira, also known as Vimbai Jari, the murdered famous musician, has asked for privacy during the mourning time.
“As friends and relatives of the late Anne ‘Vimbai’ Nhira, this is a very trying time for all of us,” the family said in a statement.
“We are pleading for the media to respect the family’s right to mourn and grieve her death by refraining from making malicious comments that are untrue.”
Nhira, 38, was stabbed by unknown attackers in Bedfordview, Johannesburg, South Africa, on Monday last week and died three days later.
Her body is yet to be returned to her homeland for burial.
The family said preparations were being made to process the requisite paperwork for Nhira’s body to be repatriated to Zimbabwe.
Part of the statement read, “We find solace in seeing that Anne may have been one of our own, but she belongs to the world, as shown by the love we are receiving from all over the world.”
Meanwhile, after Nhira’s death, Parliament has focused on the condition of the country’s film industry and the health of actors.
Tatenda Mavetera, a Zanu PF Seke-Chikomba proportional representation lawmaker, spoke in Parliament last week about the need for government to capacitate the arts sector in the wake of Nhira’s death.
Mavetera, who portrayed Tendai Jari, Vimbai’s sister in the soap (Studio 263), said the country’s film industry was all but extinct, so actors were flocking to greener pastures in foreign lands where they were vulnerable to violence.
“It’s very disheartening and quite sad to discover that she (Nhira) went to South Africa to try to make ends meet while still pursuing her acting career.
She said, “We need to look at the essence of the film industry in Zimbabwe.”
“Truly speaking, if you look at Nigeria — and I have said this many times — when it comes to filmmaking, they gain a lot of foreign currency — second only to oil — but it seems that we in Zimbabwe look down on the film industry.”
“I am calling on the Ministry of Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services to take it upon themselves so that at the very least they will guarantee that acting can carry foreign currency to Zimbabwe,” Mavetera said.
“If you look at it, Mr Speaker Sir, she might not have died, in my opinion, but God has the final say.
“To be honest, if we can build a suitable atmosphere for filming here in Zimbabwe, it would go a long way.
The Zimbabwean film industry, according to Mavetera, is under-capitalized.
“Zimbabwe is grieving Anne Nhira’s death today, but the sector is still under-capitalized.
“It is not ideal for us to be weeping, but it is best for us to be rectifying problems so that we can ensure a conducive environment,” she added.
“We were in another weeping mood just two weeks ago as we mourned the death of Soul Jah Love, but if you look at it, we aren’t capacitating them. We weep a lot when they die, but we don’t get the chance to really build them up and help them grow.”
“I am calling on the Ministry of Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services to take it upon themselves to capacitate the film, music, and arts industries so that they can thrive,” she said. Will her sweet soul find peace.”
The concerns presented by Mavetera should be raised as a motion and the minister should answer, according to Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda.
“My prayers are with you, and may her soul rest in peace. I believe you have brought up a significant part of our vital business. “I would recommend that you lift this through a motion so that there is discussion in the House and the responsible minister could answer why the industry is neglected,” Mudenda said.
Mavetera speculated on the circumstances around Anne’s suicide, claiming that the supposed attackers did not take her wallet or phone, implying that the assault was planned for murder.
“I recognize that God’s people take time, and while we can make arrangements, we don’t have the final say. I had no idea what had happened and Anne had such a tiny body that she couldn’t have fought back,” she clarified. “I believe it was a straightforward scenario. What was the reason for the assault if she had her bag and phone?
“I suspect this is a murder case rather than a burglary. They would have taken the bag and phone if they were to rape her. “Then why did you rough her up?” Today is News Day.
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