Paddington Tupiri, one of Children of Zimbabwe War Veterans Association’s (COZWVA) founding members, has died unexpectedly and plunged the nation into mourning. Tupiri, a former agent with the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO), died aged 35.
According to a tweet from COZWVA, it is still unclear how Tupiri passed away.
Those who knew Tupiri have different memories of the young man who left this world at 35 amid mystery. His untimely death leaves far more questions than it does answers and a sense of disquiet.
COZWVA announced Tupiri’s death through social media, but gave no clue as to the cause of his sudden passing, leaving Zimbabweans to speculate wildly.
“Paddington Tupiri, one of COZWVA’s founders who was 35 years-old, has left us too soon. He died under unclear circumstances,” read one tweet. “He was the son of ex-war veteran John Tupiri and also a former Zimbabwe Republic Police officer. On gaining a presidential scholarship, he went to study law in South Africa.”
Another post reads: “One of COZWVA’s founders, 35-year-old Paddington Tupiri, is no more. He died under unclear circumstances,” said one tweet. “He was the son of former war veteran and Zimbabwe Republic Police member John Tupiri. After receiving a presidential scholarship, he studied law in South Africa.”
Paddington Tupiri’s short life was filled with all kinds of different experiences. In the Mutare Rural Camp, his family grew up politically influenced by Zimbabwe’s struggle for freedom. His father, John Tupiri, was a war veteran who would later become a policeman after independence. Then, a presidential scholarship was awarded to Tupiri and he went to study law in South Africa.
While COZWVA is reportedly a non governmental organisation that aims to promote the rights of war veterans’ children, however, most of its social media postings appear to be aimed more at criticising the ruling Zanu-PF party.
