The Sunday News
Clinton Moyo, Sunday News Reporter
PRINCIPAL Director in Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko’s office, Mr Forbes Mbele, has died.
Mr Mbele died yesterday at Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo at the age of 54. Mourners are gathered at House Number 818 Mahatshula North in Bulawayo.
VP Mphoko and his wife, Mrs Laurinda Mphoko visited the Mbele family yesterday to pay their condolences. The Vice-President described Mr Mbele’s death as a painful loss and urged the family to be strong during these trying times.
“It is really painful to lose one of us but I think we now have to accept death as part of us because all of us have really lost a special person. I worked with Mr Mbele from the time I became Vice-President. Actually I found him there as he also worked with Cde John Landa Nkomo and other Vice-
Presidents. I would like to encourage the family to be strong during these trying times. We just need to pray to God,” he said.
VP Mphoko described Mr Mbele as a quiet, professional and calm person.
“I think his children should know that their father was a respected person. He was very hard working, calm, quiet, dedicated and very professional,” he said.
Mr Mbele’s sister Mrs Lindewe Piliwe said her brother’s death came as a shock to the family.
“His death came as a shock to us because he was operated on on 3 August and came out of hospital and then he was okay. On Monday his health deteriorated and he then he died in the early hours of today,” she said.
VP Mphoko also donated groceries and cash to help the family arrange for his burial. Mr Mbele will be laid to rest on Tuesday at Mutasa Cemetery in Gweru.
