Zimbabwean opposition lawmaker and celebrated poet Desire Moyo tragically lost his life in a fatal accident early Friday morning when the vehicle he was traveling in collided with an elephant. The incident occurred on the Bulawayo-Gweru highway, as reported by the state-owned broadcaster ZBC. Moyo, who was a day shy of his 46th birthday, died instantly, while four fellow Members of Parliament sustained injuries and were hospitalized. Moyo, affectionately known as Moyoxide, was a prominent figure in Zimbabwe’s political and cultural spheres. He represented the Nkulumane Constituency in Bulawayo and was a member of the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), led by Nelson Chamisa. He also served on the parliamentary committee for sport, recreation, arts, and culture. Tributes have flooded in for the award-winning poet, educator, and arts administrator, who was widely recognized for his dedication to nurturing Zimbabwe’s creative sector. Fellow lawmaker Caston Matewu described Moyo as ‘one of the hardest working MPs in Parliament,’ while the City of Bulawayo, led by Mayor David Coltart, hailed him as an ‘iconic leader and creative’ who championed the arts both locally and nationally. The Nkulumane Constituency expressed its ‘deep sorrow and profound shock’ over the loss of their representative. The tragic accident has left Zimbabwe mourning the loss of a multifaceted leader whose contributions to politics and the arts will be deeply missed.