Chronicle staffer laid to rest

THE late former Zimpapers Bulawayo branch driver, Thabani Khumalo, was yesterday laid to rest at Umvutshwa Cemetery with hundreds of mourners who included his former workmates, in attendance.

Khumalo, 51, died in South Africa early this month where he had gone to seek treatment, having been unwell for some time.

At the burial site, his former colleagues gave a glowing tribute to Khumalo, describing him as a respectful and reliable unifier.

His departmental colleague in the transport section, Innocent Moyo said Khumalo’s respect was regardless of age or grade in the company.

Bulawayo branch workers committee chairperson Lasborn Dube echoed the same sentiments.

“The man was an asset to all our departments, as workers’ representatives we never heard any complaints from either colleagues or management so as workers we have really lost a great and humble colleague,” said Dube.

A congregant at Holy Spirit Baptist Church where Khumalo worshipped, Josiah Ncube, who is also a driver at the transport department, said the church takes nothing but love from Khumalo.

“He was never angry, Thabani was always full of love and as a church we take love from Thabani’s love. We are mourning here like everyone else but also we celebrate our time with him which we will obviously miss,” said Ncube.

Khumalo joined Zimpapers as an independent contractor in January 2018 before becoming a fixed term driver in October of the same year.

He leaves behind two children; a son and a daughter who are both based in Botswana.