Father Fredrick T. Mabiri Dies in Car Crash
The Catholic Diocese of Chinhoyi is mourning the loss of Reverend Fr. Fredrick T. Mabiri, a respected senior priest closely connected to the late former President Robert Mugabe.
Fr. Mabiri tragically passed away early yesterday morning in a car accident at Musengezi Bridge, near Murombedzi, close to Chegutu.
The fatal incident occurred around 3 a.m. when Fr. Mabiri’s Toyota Hilux single cab collided with an oncoming truck. The collision was severe, resulting in the priest’s death at the scene, while the occupants of the truck sustained only minor injuries.
Local resident David Tavengwa described the aftermath: “I heard a loud crash around 3:30 a.m., but didn’t go outside immediately. When I finally did, about 200 meters from my home, I saw the wreckage. Firefighters were working to remove the body from the mangled vehicle.”
Catholic Diocese Mourns
Fr. Mabiri was highly regarded within the Catholic Church for his deep faith and dedication to community service. He served as a close advisor to President Mugabe, having been his priest at Kutama Mission, the former president’s ancestral home. Their bond was further reinforced by their shared totem, Gushungo, which made Fr. Mabiri a respected figure within the Mugabe family.
In a 2019 interview with Al-Jazeera following Mugabe’s death, Fr. Mabiri reflected on the former president’s legacy, acknowledging both his achievements in education and health, as well as the shortcomings of his administration.
Fr. Mabiri, who served at St. Kizito’s Parish in Murombedzi, is remembered for his 33 years of service, his dedication to his parishioners, and his contributions as a musician, composing popular hymns like -Mwari Huyai’,“Vakomana masara,” and “Nazo zinai zokha.”
His passing has left a significant void in the Catholic community and beyond, highlighting the dangers of the road where the accident occurred.
