Family blames Zim’s healthcare system for singer Gary’s death

By Staff Reporter and Agencies

The death of Afropop singer Garikai Munashe Mapanzure, who succumbed to serious injuries in a road traffic accident along the Beitbridge-Masvingo highway has brought into sharp focus Zimbabwe’s struggling healthcare system.

Speaking at his funeral over the weekend, Garry’s family revealed that he had battled for his life for over 10 hours.

They revealed that authorities at Masvingo General Hospital had informed them that there was no oxygen at the facility or a CT scanner to examine his head injuries.

This after a private ambulance service had also refused to ferry Gary to Harare unless the family paid more than US$3,000 in costs upfront.

Watch Gary sister speak below;

The family was supported by many social media users;

The sister of musician Gerry Mapanzure who died in a car accident in Masvingo last week, and was buried today, gave an emotional and extremely moving speech explaining how the Government of Zimbabwe and the dilapidated healthcare system in Zimbabwe let down her brother.

Kudzai… pic.twitter.com/Ykiy1kGfAL

— Hopewell Chin’ono (@daddyhope) October 15, 2023

Garry, as he was affectionately known, grew up in church where he discovered his singing ability and honed his talent. He attended Kyle Preparatory School and continued to primary and high school at the same institution.

Garry started his musical career in late 2017 and released his first single ‘Wapunza’, which clocked over 2 million views on YouTube. In 2018, he won and became the 10th emPawa Africa pick, the firstever from Zimbabwe.

Through this initiative, Garry released a sizzling hit, Slow, which was uploaded on the emPawa YouTube channel. And 2019 saw the contemporary artist being nominated for the prestigious AFRIMA awards in the Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African R’N’B & Soul category for his song TV Room, a collaboration with Hillzy.

Garry went to study Architectural Design at North China University of Technology^, before being signed to UK, London-based record label, Runabeat Music. Under the label he released his first EP entitled, ‘Sushi Season: The First’, in March 2020.

His first world tour scheduled for March 2020 to support the EP’s release was cancelled due to the global outbreak of coronavirus in March 2020. Garry resided in London, United Kingdom, working on future music audio and visual projects until the coronavirus pandemic passed.

He was back in the country at the time of his death. His sister and nephew were traveling with him in the same car. The two died on the spot and Garry fought for his life for another 10 hours. May His Soul Rest In Peace.