Tragic Passing of Zimbabwean Poet and Lawmaker Desire Moyo

Wed Oct 22 2025 02:29:33 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Desire Moyo, a prominent Zimbabwean opposition lawmaker and celebrated poet, died in a car accident involving an elephant. Tributes pour in for the impactful figure just before his 46th birthday.

Zimbabwean opposition MP Desire Moyo has tragically died after a vehicle he was in collided with an elephant on the Bulawayo-Gweru highway. Fellow lawmakers were injured in the incident, which raised concerns about wildlife and road safety. Moyo was highly regarded for his contributions to arts and culture, and he was set to turn 46 the following day. Condolences and tributes are flowing in following his untimely death.

Desire Moyo, a well-known Zimbabwean opposition lawmaker and celebrated poet, has tragically passed away after a vehicle he was travelling in struck an elephant. The accident occurred early Friday morning on the Bulawayo-Gweru highway, leaving Moyo dead at the scene, while four other MPs sustained injuries.

As tributes pour in from across the nation, Moyo's contributions to the arts and community have been recognized, particularly as he was due to celebrate his 46th birthday a day after his untimely death. As a member of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party, he served on the sport, recreation, arts and culture committee within the Zimbabwean parliament.

The tragedy prompted expressions of deep sorrow from his constituents in the Nkulumane district, alongside the impactful legacy he leaves behind as a passionate advocate for the creative sector. Fellow lawmakers shared harrowing details of the crash, relaying that the vehicle struck the elephant, leading to further impact that caused Moyo's fatal injuries.

Among the condolences, MP Caston Matewu honored him as “one of the hardest working MPs in Parliament” while the City of Bulawayo remembered him as an “iconic leader” who championed the arts in the city.

Previously an acclaimed poet and educator, Moyo was dedicated to nurturing Zimbabwe's creative industries. The other lawmakers involved in the crash were taken to a hospital for treatment, as the communities grapple with the loss of a vibrant public figure.