President Emmerson Mnangagwa instructed all Cabinet Ministers who were in contact with the late Perrance Shiri to self-isolate at home in order to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus.
According to a report by The Zimbabwe Independent ZimInd), a number of ministers and officials who came into contact with Shiri during the last days of his life are now in isolation at home.
Shiri, who was Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement died last week on Wednesday after he contracted COVID-19.
Reports suggest that Shiri held several meetings in the few days leading to his demise, including with serving army chiefs.
Among those absent at the Cabinet meeting were Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa, Mines and Mining Development minister Winston Chitando and Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe who reportedly met with Shiri before his death. A top official told ZimInd:
He (Mnangagwa) made it very clear that he expected anyone who could have been in contact with Shiri to self-isolate at home and avoid spreading the virus.
… They did not attend the cabinet meeting. They were in contact with Shiri a few days before he died.
Women’s Affairs minister Sithembiso Nyoni took over Mutsvangwa’s usual role of addressing the post-cabinet press conference on Wednesday morning.