Zimpapers Logo

Crime Reporter
IN a typical case of double tragedy, mother of the late Upper Room Ministries leader Bishop Berry Dambaza died a few hours after the clergy fell from the third floor of Rezende Parkade in Harare on Monday.

Although Bishop Dambaza was just seen falling from the building, it is widely suspected that he committed suicide by throwing himself down. A few hours after the fatal incident, the bishop’s mother, who was critically ill, also died in hospital, plunging the family into a double tragedy. The 90-year-old Gogo Monica Dambaza, who recently suffered a “serious stroke”, reportedly died hours after her son’s death.

His wife, Pastor Sithembeni Dambaza, who was shocked and traumatised by the loss of her husband and mother-in-law in such a short space of time, was on Monday night admitted at a local hospital. The church’s spokesperson Reverend Craig Ndoro yesterday confirmed the death of Gogo Monica Dambaza.

“I can confirm that Gogo Dambaza (90) has passed away,” he said.

“When the tragic incident occurred on Monday, Pastor Sithembeni Dambaza was at their home nursing Gogo Dambaza,” he said.

He reiterated that the cause and circumstances surrounding the death of Bishop Dambaza were still under police investigations.

Bishop Dambaza died on the spot and people had to call the police to attend the scene. When police arrived at the scene, they discovered that he had a suicide note in his pocket.

It was written, “I made a lot of mistakes . . . I stole a lot of money.”

On Monday, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said: “Police are investigating a case which occurred at Rezende Parkade, Harare this afternoon at around 1230 hours where a 59-year-old man allegedly jumped from the last floor and died.

“Police are yet to get the motive behind the suspected suicide.”

The body was taken to a local mortuary for post-mortem. Bishop Dambaza and Pastor Sithembeni Dambaza had two daughters (Oreen and Oretha) and two sons (Osborne and Oracle).

Bishop Dambaza graduated in 1984 from the Pentecostal Bible College now known as Pan African Christian College (PACC) in Harare.

Mourners are gathered at House Number 197 Harare Drive, Borrowdale and burial arrangements will be announced in due course.