Chief Bepura dies

CHIEF Bepura (73) from Guruve District, Mashonaland Central Province, has died.

Born Kenneth Silas Bepura, he succumbed to a long illness while admitted at Guruve District Hospital on Sunday.

Provincial administrator Mr Cosmas Chiringa confirmed the death and said: “I can confirm that Chief Bepura died on November 18 at around 2am at Guruve Rural District Hospital. He was not well for some time.

“Having been married to one wife, the chief has left eight children and 16 grandchildren. His death is a big blow to the province. Burial arrangements will be announced in due course.”

The death of Chief Bepura comes a few months after Mbire District also lost a vibrant chief in the person of Senator Daster Chitsunga, who died in an accident early this year.

Guruve district administrator Mr Romeo Shangwa, said: “The death of Chief Bepura has left a big void mark which will be difficult to fill.

“He was a knowledgeable man. He spearheaded a number of projects in his area. He was also key and instrumental in the appointments of chiefs as well.

“He had health challenges and the most unfortunate part is that all hospital diagnosis failed to establish what he was suffering from.”

Chief Bepura used to stay in the Damba area in Makonde, but was displaced by white settlers who wanted his fertile land and upon his installation as a chief in Guruve, he went on to battle for relocation to Mashonaland West where his forefathers were displaced by the colonial regime seven decades ago.