The family of the late banker Douglas Munatsi on Sunday said they were heartbroken and are still in shock over a fire incident that claimed his life last week.
Munatsi, the Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency CEO, died in a house inferno in Harare’s Avenues area on November 29.
A memorial service was held for him on Sunday in the capital and speakers described his death as a great loss to Zimbabwe.
“He started from zero, I mean zero but he accomplished a lot. He also did so many amazing things, founding a bank,” Harry Munatsi, his elder brother, told mourners.
“I was shocked and surprised to receive the news of his death.
“My heart is really broken. My neighbour came to my house and said my wife was asking why I was not answering my phone.
“At the time, our area had no electricity and I was charging my phone in the car.
“When I rushed to my car, I found 21 missed calls, and I was surprised and before I started dialling, I got a call from my wife and she said, please just rush to the flat.
“Rush now. I am really heartbroken.”
Harare Provincial Affairs minister Oliver Chidawu, who is also a family friend added: “I find myself conflicted.
“When I was asked by the president to come and speak, I said but you are aware that he is my brother.
“He said you are the rightful person to go and represent me. I knew him very well.
“We had a very strong relationship.
“This was a fantastic man.”
Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa and her Housing and Social Amenities counterpart Daniel Garwe, government officials and business executives, among many others from different sectors of society attended the memorial.
Munatsi was known mostly for leading BancABC from its formation in 2000.
Police preliminary investigations indicated that Munatsi was not burnt by flames, but by the heat because his clothes were still intact when his body was recovered.
The police have also launched a manhunt for a woman who was recorded on the security checkpoint book as Coleta, believed to have arrived at about 19:05 hours on Sunday and the guard escorted her to the now deceased’s flat.
The occupant of the luxurious flat was top investment banker and chief executive officer of the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) Mr Douglas Munatsi.
It has since emerged that around 2.50am Mr Munatsi alerted neighbours of a fire in his penthouse and called out for help.
Charles Gardiner — one of his neighbours, who is also chairperson of the Northfields Owners Association — was among the first to hear the distress call and duly called the Harare Fire Brigade.
Within 11 minutes of the call, firefighters arrived at the scene.
They took two hours to fight the raging inferno, by which time Mr Munetsi had already died.
The ZIDA CEO will be buried today at Greendale Cemetery in Harare, marking the end of an illustrious life of a pioneering corporate mind and patriot.
Investigations are still underway to find the cause of the fire.
Meanwhile, the Munatsi family has commissioned a separate autopsy with a South African pathologist as they seek closure.
This publication has gathered that the family intends to compare their autopsy report with one being undertaken by Government pathologists.
Speaking to the media, the Munatsi family spokesperson, Mr Teddy Gazi, said they have lost a family pillar who uplifted many lives.
“He was an employer, educator and benefactor of many close and extended family members.
“He employed many relatives at Kunatsa Estates, Jacob Bethel and while at FMB and BancABC to name a few.
“He was looking after many orphaned and underprivileged children,” said Gazi.
Asked on whether the family suspects foul play, Gazi said they will wait for the report from law enforcement agents before they reach any conclusions.
“The family is grateful and appreciates the State assistance,” he said.
