The Zimbabwean Government has lost two of its ministers to the deadly coronavirus (COVID-19) with a matter of days.
Just as the country was still mouring the death of Foreign minister Sibusiso Moyo to COVID-19 less than two days ago, Zimbabwean government, on Friday night, announced the death of Transport Minister Joel Matiza.
Four government ministers have so far succumbed to the coronavirus in Zimbabwe.
This has forced the country to announce on Saturday plans to further tighten lockdown measures.
According to unconfirmed media reports, several other cabinet ministers are fighting for their lives in a private hospital.
“We are in a dark cloud that we have to clear very soon,” deputy health minister John Mangwiro told DPA.
Mangwiro revealed plans to intensify the current lockdown, which has been in place since early January and includes a strict nightly curfew.
Restaurants, bars, and gyms have also been forced to close.
“We have seen people not adhering to the lockdown regulations announced early this month,” he added.
Zimbabwe has registered 30,523 cases of infection since the start of the pandemic, including 962 deaths.
The numbers may seem relatively low compared to other countries.
However, the outbreak is putting the nation’s health system under considerable pressure.