2 Salvation army pastors die in a car crash whilst coming from a funeral

Salvation Army pastors Major Sheila Rutanhira, Major Isaiah Motsi (Corps Officer Gaborone Central) and Pretty Tore, Major Siphiwe Motsi’s niece have been promoted to glory this morning in a car crash in Ditebe near Gaborone, Assistant Secretary for Personnel Administration, Lt. Colonel Martha Chinyemba has announced.

Major Siphiwe Motsi who is wife to major Isaiah is reportedly very stable, she has been admitted and awaiting surgery on her fractured hand and jaw on Monday at Mahalapye Hospital.

The accident happened on their way from a funeral of Major Isaiah’s sister.

A tribute from Davison Muropa read

We Mourn With the Rutanhira and Motsi Families

I was full of excitement and expectation as this week came to a conclusion and I prepared in readiness for the travel from Birmingham to London to attend the Farewell Meeting of the General and the welcome of the over 100 leaders attending the 2023 High Council.

But soon I arrived at the Methodist Central Hall, Westminster, were events were to take place, news started to filter through in whispers, kuti mazvinzwawo here zvaitika kuZimbabwe uko.

Before long the sad and tragic promotion to glory of Major Isaah Motsi and Major Sheila Rutanhira, as well as a relative were confirmed. This is sad news indeed. Pasi pano idandaro.

I am still to come to terms with this sad moment. I knew Major Motsi very well. He was a likeable soul, easy to relate and communicate with. He texted me last week informing me of the passing of his sister “waano tevedzana naye” and that he would travel to Harare for the funeral.

Little did I fathom that he was himself making his last dance on earth.

The less said at this moment, the better. I salute this darling fellow scribe in the Salvation Army. May he go to receive his rich reward.

May the good Lord take care of his and the other two souls so tragically taken from us. May God give strength to Major Rutanhira (baba). I know how his soul mate, Major Sheila Rutanhira meant to him.

We pray for healing for Major Siphiwe Motsi as she battles for her life in hospital.

My salutation at ‘Diaspora Discourse’ since the era of Covid – 19 has been “stay blessed, stay safe”.

We all need the blessings from above and we all need to stay safe as we go about our everyday sojourn on this Mother Earth. Death and demise seems to be always lurking around the corner and can visit us at any time tisingafungire.