Southern Africa director for Human Rights Watch Dewa Mavhinga has died of Covid-19 in South Africa.
The untimely death of the 55-year-old Zimbabwe-born human rights defender on Saturday from the virus comes at a time when the new variant – Omicron – has spread exponentially in South Africa.
Commenting on Dewa’s passing, prominent Zimbabwe human rights lawyer Fadzayi Mahere said: “Dewa, you were a great champion for human rights in Zimbabwe, Southern Africa & beyond. You always spoke up for what was right & stood up to the biggest violators ever so fearlessly”.
Pastor Evans Mawarire of Zimbabwe’s ThisFlag fame tweeted: “The pain of this news, RIP @dewamavhinga one of the most brave and dedicated human rights defenders of our time. Farewell Dewa, thank you for all you did for all of us. May God comfort your family “.
On Saturday South Africa, which detected the Omicron variant just over a week ago, recorded 16 366 new Covid-19 cases with 25 fatalities.
