Veteran Zanu PF politician and Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Shuvai Mahofa (pictured) is reportedly battling for her life at a South African hospital.
The 74-year-old Grace Mugabe ally succeeded ousted party politician Kudakwashe Bhasikiti last year.
She was taken ill after she fell sick allegedly after she had taken some “poisoned” food at a Zanu PF conference in Victoria Falls last year.
A family member told RadioVOP that the once powerful Mahofa, who has never been in office since the beginning of the year, is struggling with a non-functional kidney as result of food poisoning.
“Mahofa is currently in South Africa where she is receiving treatment since Zimbabwean doctors had done less to see her regain her health,” he said.
“There is a lot of improvement as the doctors have told the family that she was affected by food poisoning leading to one of her kidneys not functioning.
“It was instead piling water inside which they are draining. She will be well in a few weeks.”
A senior Zanu PF politician from the province said Mahofa has not been well since her appointment as Minister.
He said Mahova’s ailments were however associated with old age which saw her last year fail to attend most crucial events demanding her presence as the province’s top governing authority.
“…She had swollen legs and could not walk around without an aide. People who gathered at the commissioning of Zivhu’s (Killer) Chivi ZimAsset Project can bear witness as she fell in the presence of everyone, including the press.
“This poison has therefore worsened the situation of the age infirmities that were already troubling her. We are just hopeful that she will be well,” he said.
At some point, she was said to have relocated he office from a top floor to ground as she could not endure climbing the stairs every day.
Masvingo Zanu PF provincial chairperson Ezra Chadzamira confirmed Mahofa was receiving medication in South Africa although he refused to shed more light saying he was busy with Parliament business.
“Yes, it has been communicated to us as party that Mahofa is recovering in South Africa,” Chadzamira said.
Apart from her ailment, Mahofa is in the eye of the storm after Masvingo Women’s League chairlady Veronica Makonese openly told Grace Mugabe that Mahofa was involved in corrupt activities last year.
It was also Makonese who told Grace that Mahofa looted Bona’s (Mugabe) wedding anniversary gifts and some donations which were supposed to be used at the First Lady’s Gutu – Mushayavanhu meet the people rally in 2015.-VOP
