With a heart heavy with grief and a soul shattered by loss, I write these words in memory of my beloved son, Munashe Tyrone Goromonzi (PSEUDONAME IN PUBLICATION -TAPIWA MYRONE), who has tragically passed away.
For so long, Munashe and I faced his battles together—fighting for his health, for recognition, and for the love he deserved. I had hoped that after everything, he had finally found his way toward healing. But it seems that the plans God had for him were different than what we imagined.
On June 17th, 2025, I received the most devastating news from Canada. The Toronto Homicide and Missing Persons Unit informed me that my son’s body had been found in Lake Ontario on June 15th, 2025. The pain of losing him is indescribable, but what is equally agonizing is the uncertainty surrounding his death. To this day, I have not received clear information about how he ended up in the lake, and the unknowns make this loss even harder to bear.
Munashe’s life was never easy. From a young age, he faced emotional and psychological struggles—many of which stemmed from the rejection of his father, Trevor Tutu, and his famous grandfather, Desmond Tutu. I’ve often said that my son’s true battle wasn’t just with his health, but with the emotional scars of being cast aside by those he should have been able to turn to for support. At just nine years old, he was denied the chance to attend his grandfather’s public events, not because of anything he had done, but because his presence was seen as a complication. You can read more on that in my blog.
As Munashe grew older, he sought a connection with his grandfather, Desmond Tutu, but was repeatedly turned away. Even after Desmond Tutu’s passing in 2022, my son was left to wonder why he had been abandoned by the very legacy that should have embraced him. In my book Unmasking The Saints – The Untold Story of Desmond Tutu’s Unrecognized Grandson (released in early 2025), I shared the painful journey of trying to carve a place for my son in a family that refused to acknowledge him. It was my way of telling the world the story that had been hidden for too long. You can find more about my book here.
Munashe’s struggles led him to seek help, and for years, I did everything I could to support him—sacrificing not only my career but also our family’s financial security, including our homes across different countries, to fund his treatment in private recovery centers. Most recently, Munashe had spent over two years in South Africa undergoing therapy, and despite the emotional isolation he faced from his father and other relatives, he made remarkable progress. My son and I had hoped that, in time, his family in South Africa where he was, would open their hearts and offer him the support and love he so desperately needed. Unfortunately, that never came.
Though I tried legal avenues to secure Munashe’s rightful recognition and identity, all doors remained closed. The South African legal system seemed more focused on protecting the Tutu legacy than acknowledging my son’s heritage and rightful place in it. Despite these obstacles, Munashe had come so far. He completed his diploma in Digital Marketing in 2024 and was excited to return to Toronto, Canada in early 2025 to continue his studies.
Then, the unthinkable happened.
His sudden, untimely death has left us in disbelief. Munashe was not suicidal, and we are still trying to piece together the moments leading up to his body being found in Lake Ontario. The coroner has confirmed his identity through fingerprints, but I have requested further confirmation through a DNA test—something I believe is my right as his mother. The coroner has confirmed his identity through fingerprints, but I have requested a DNA test for further peace of mind, especially given the circumstances. I have made it clear that I am willing to cover the cost of the test myself, but the coroner has questioned the need for it, making it seem as though they are avoiding the DNA test altogether for reasons I don’t fully understand. I am left with no choice but to rely on their conclusions, which doesn’t give me the peace of mind I need as his mother.
It’s been difficult to get clear answers from the authorities. The investigation seems to be moving slowly, and I’m concerned that the date of death—June 15th—will be considered final without proper inquiry into the circumstances surrounding it. I’ve requested access to his bank statements to better understand his activities in the weeks before his death, but so far, the police have not taken this request seriously.
The description of the events surrounding Munashe’s discovery, as told by the person who found him and by the coroner conducting the forensic investigations, also conflict. This adds to the mounting questions that remain unanswered.
Lastly, I find myself asking whether there could be a connection between my son’s tragic death and the release of my book. Could his passing be related to the truth that was finally told? The questions are endless, and the uncertainty only deepens the pain.
At this point, all I can do is continue to seek the truth, to honor my son’s memory, and to keep fighting for the justice and recognition he deserved. The road has been long, and the journey continues, but my love for Munashe will never fade.
Was his untimely death connected to the emotional trauma he endured or to my book Unmasking the Saints? We need a full investigation into the cause and timing of his death.
We are calling for answers and justice for Munashe. Please visit [Insert website link] for more information on his story and how you can help us get justice.
Read more about the struggles we faced for recognition on this website.