These
concerns
were
expressed
during
his
burial
on
Wednesday
at
his
homestead
in
Dibilashaba,
Gwanda
South,
where
he
was
laid
to
rest
near
his
ancestors.
The
28-year-old
chief,
whose
real
name
was
Oaheng
Nare,
passed
away
at
a
Harare
health
facility
after
being
admitted
with
severe
stomach
pain
and
vomiting.
A
few
weeks
before
his
mysterious
death,
armed
robbers
raided
his
rural
home
and
stole
his
official
Isuzu
vehicle.
His
funeral
drew
attendance
from
prominent
figures,
including
the
President
of
the
Chiefs’
Council,
Chief
Mtshane
Khumalo,
several
chiefs
from
the
Matabeleland
region,
Members
of
Parliament,
and
local
government
representatives.
During
the
service,
a
visibly
distressed
family
member
spoke
about
their
spiritual
beliefs,
expressing
hope
that
the
late
Chief
Marupi
had
the
opportunity
to
“submit
his
spirit
unto
the
Lord”.
He
warned
that
anyone
responsible
for
Marupi’s
death
would
suffer
consequences,
saying,
“No
matter
how
big
your
hand,
you
have
started
to
do
to
yourself
what
you
have
done
to
us.”
Chief
Hwadalala
of
Gwanda,
echoing
the
family’s
suspicions,
suggested
that
if
foul
play
was
involved,
Marupi
would
“speak
for
himself”
and
reveal
the
truth.
“I
suspect
foul
play
too,”
he
added,
joining
the
calls
for
a
thorough
investigation.
Chief
Sitauze,
a
close
friend,
described
Chief
Marupi’s
death
as
deeply
shocking
and
hard
to
believe.
Reflecting
on
their
friendship,
he
said,
“We
knew
each
other
well;
he
was
a
jovial
person,
always
full
of
jokes.”
He
recalled
the
excitement
Chief
Marupi
felt
upon
receiving
his
official
vehicle,
and
shared
his
dismay
upon
learning
the
car
was
later
stolen,
remarking
that
it
was
an
affront
to
the
honour
of
the
chieftainship.
Chief
Sitauze
called
for
support
for
young
chiefs,
who
often
bear
overwhelming
responsibilities
without
sufficient
guidance.
“Being
appointed
at
a
young
age,
Chief
Marupi
needed
community
support
and
wisdom,”
he
said.
Village
Head
Mahla
added,
“The
mountain
has
fallen;
we
are
left
without
a
place
to
hide.”
He
called
for
divine
comfort
for
the
Dibilashaba
village,
which
he
said
had
begun
to
see
hope
with
Chief
Marupi’s
leadership.
Chief
Marupi
is
survived
by
a
wife
and
a
son.