Online Reporter
Remember Deketeke and Joseph Madzimure
A SOMBRE atmosphere enveloped Doves Funeral Parlour in Chitungwiza where families that lost their loved ones in the horrific kombi crash identified and collected remains of the victims.
Cries pierced the air as relatives broke down on reading names of the victims on the roll.
The weight of collective sorrow was palpable, with many still struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.
Mr Bornface Maunganidze, who lost two relatives, shared his pain.
“My nephew Rainford Jere, his wife and their child Shantel were in the kombi. My nephew and the child died in the accident. Luckily, the wife survived.”
The child, Mr Maunganidze said, was only three years old, and was being taken to Chitungwiza from Norton to get a birth certificate when tragedy struck.
Mr Maunganidze expressed deep appreciation to the Government and President Mnangagwa for according the deceased State-assisted funerals.
Another grieving family, represented by Mr Jacob Moleli and Ms Tatenda Maisirimuka, spoke of its niece’s untimely death.
“My niece Samantha Taderera was only 19. She was doing lessons in Chitungwiza, but lived in Zimre Park. She was awarded a scholarship to study in Germany, so she was doing language lessons in Chitungwiza,” they said.
“We got a phone call from the teacher and were told of the accident. That’s when we knew something was wrong, as she was not answering her own phone.”
Mr Calvin Musara lost his mother-in-law.
“She was told that my wife was not feeling well and decided to visit her since she stays in South Africa. When she arrived in Harare around 9 in the morning, she phoned me and I told her where to find kombis to Chitungwiza.”
He added: “I then asked my wife around 2 in the afternoon why mom was not yet home. That is when a message came saying you should come to Dove’s funeral to identify someone. Upon arrival we then noticed and confirmed that it was her. My mother-in-law was a great person who always strived for all the family members to be united.”
This came as Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi named the 17 victims who perished in the accident.
The deceased were identified as Tatenda Silia (25), Wishby Nganima (19), Letwin Hwingwiri (52), Frederick Jumo (39), Shantel Jere (03), Rainford Jere (29), Prodigas Mugere (37), Tatenda Dhokwani (25), Samantha Taderera (27), Sheilla Nemasango (58), Samantha Nyangani (32), Emma Matare (32), Joshua Gutsa (07), Perpetua Kurwa (35), Anyway Maguduru (26), Talent Hwingwiri (18) and Mary Nyambiri (63).
The Zanu PF Harare Provincial leadership, led by chairman, Cde Goodwills Masimirembwa, yesterday gave US$17 000 to the bereaved families from President Mnangagwa.
Each family will get US$1 000.
“As a Harare Province we came here to grieve with the bereaved families and pay our condolences. We are here on behalf of President Mnangagwa with the contribution to assist the families in the funeral arrangements ,” said Cde Masimirembwa.
The families thanked the President Mnangagwa for the kind gesture.
“Yes we lost our son, we appreciate the Government’s support. He showed that he is a caring father who is with us during this trying time. We appreciate his financial assistance,” said Mr Wellington Mawamba, the kombi driver’s father.
Mr Clive Taderera, father to a university student who perished in the accident, expressed his appreciation of the kind gesture.
“We were not expecting to receive such amount of money from the President himself.
“This is a clear sign of a true leader, who cares for his family. We really express our gratitude with the support extended by President Mnangagwa.
“We received US$1000 cash, plus funeral assistance from the Government,” he said.
Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe yesterday expressed their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families
“We express our condolences to the families that lost their loved ones and wish a speedy recovery to those that were injured. In times like these, it is vital that we come together as a community to support one another and provide comfort to the bereaved,” reads the statement.
