Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza
Bulawayo Bureau
FOUR of the six Highlanders supporters killed in Sunday’s horrific road accident along Filabusi Road came from the same village in Killarney, Insiza District, Matabeleland South Province.
The six fans died on the spot, while four others were injured when their Nissan NV350 kombi rammed the rear of a stationary tipper truck about 15km from Amazon Shopping Centre.
A Honda Fit subsequently crashed into the wreckage.
The Highlanders supporters were returning to Filabusi after attending the Highlanders versus Herentals match in Bulawayo when tragedy struck.
Village 22 headman Mr Thando Dube said the deaths had cast a dark cloud over the community, where the four victims lived near each other and knew each other well.
“Such a tragedy has never happened in this community and everyone in the village is in shock. We always hear about similar tragedies on the radio and today we are mourning the death of four people who were all villagers of Village 22 in Killarney,” said Mr Dube.
“Mourners have started gathering at the homesteads of two of the deceased and what makes this tragedy so heartbreaking is that we are such a small village and our homes are all in close proximity so all know each other very well.”
Zimpapers is withholding the identities of the victims pending notification of their next of kin by the police.
Mr Dube said the community was already mobilising to support the bereaved families, with plans for a meeting of village heads to coordinate assistance.
“All the families need our support, so we are trying to find a way that will enable villagers to support the families in equal measure.
“It might be better for all the villagers to meet at one place for evening prayers in support of all the grieving families and also get updates on burial dates and other important announcements,” he said.
