Sylvia Matambo-Maphosa
Sylvia Matambo-Maphosa was shot by Presidential Guard soldiers on 1 August 2018. She was one of six people killed. The shootings followed a protest over delays by ZEC in in releasing the results of the 30 July 2018 presidential elections.
Personal Details
Born: 1966. Grew up, Mbare.
Marriage: to Robert Maphosa. Two children.
Death: 1 August 2018, shot in the back by Presidential Guard soldiers.
School / Education
No information could be found on her Junior or High School, or any tertiary education.
Events
Sylvia Matambo-Maphosa’s family was allegedly visited by top army and police officials, and allegedly ordered not to entertain the media to avoid “politicising” the matter. Sylvia was fatally shot in the back coming from work (she was a Zinwa employee doing part-time duties at ZEC), in the CBD when soldiers opened fire at protesters demonstrating against alleged electoral fraud by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec).
President [[Emmerson Mnangagwa] sent a condolence message and called for an independent investigation into the shootings. [1]
The family of Sylvia Matambo-Maphosa, who died after she was shot in the back by soldiers during the 1 August 2018 Presidential Guard shootings after the general elections, are alleging top army and police officials or teams of army and plain clothes police officers visited the deceased’s family members in Mbare and Waterfalls and allegedly ordered them to “zip up” over the matter. The family’s assertions have been denied by national police spokesperson, Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba.
“She lived here and never at any time did she get involved in politics. She was not in any party structure but died because of a reckless soldier. It’s bad and sad.” [2]
Six people died when soldiers opened fire on 1 August 2018, after a protest over delays by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to release 30 July presidential election results. One of the victims, Sylvia Matambo Maphosa, was was shot in the back. Family sources said there was a confrontation between her relatives and a doctor at Parirenyatwa Hospital, they claimed the doctor had falsely indicated that she died of stab wounds. A family member said they only got the correct autopsy report after they engaged a prominent lawyer. The doctor who did the autopsy then yielded to pressure and asked to consult his superiors. Autopsies then stated gunshot wounds as the cause of the death.
Joshua Matambo, said his sister’s death was a severe blow to the family. Robert Maphosa, her husband said his wife was a religious person who minded her own business all the time. [3]
- ↑ State gags shooting victim’s family, Newsday, Published: 3 August 2018, Retrieved: 27 April 2020
- ↑ Zimbabwean security forces are attempting to silence the families of those shot dead, African News Agency, Published: 3 August 2018, Retrieved: 27 April 2020
- ↑ Relatives claim plot to cover up army killings, The Standard, Published: 5 August 2018, Retrieved: 27 April 2020
