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Freeman Razemba Crime Reporter
DNA profiling on 17 unidentified bodies from the Chisumbanje ethanol tanker explosion will be held tomorrow at Mutare Provincial Hospital after relatives opted for the move to help them identify their relatives, police said yesterday. At least 24 people were burnt, some beyond recognition, when the ethanol tanker collided with a T35 truck carrying mourners, resulting in an inferno last Wednesday.
The truck was carrying mourners and the body of Clifford Muyambo to his village for burial when the accident occurred.
Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa met with representatives from a private forensic laboratory and various stakeholders in Harare yesterday to finalise the issue.
African Institute of Biomedical Science Technology (AiBST) founder Professor Collen Masimirembwa is leading the team of experts to conduct the DNA tests.
Officer commanding Chipinge district Chief Superintendent Patrick Wasara yesterday confirmed the developments.
“The position now is that the DNA tests would be conducted in Mutare on Wednesday,” he said. “I have received an instruction from the headquarters (Police General Headquarters) that the bodies be taken to Mutare tomorrow (today) for the tests to be conducted on Wednesday,” he said.
Government recently approached AiBST to have the DNA profiling done on the 17 unidentified bodies.
Chipinge District Administrator Mr Edgar Seenza yesterday said he awaited guidance from the police.
“I have no comment to give as of now since it is a matter of the police, but I can confirm that the Dispol (officer commanding Chipinge district) has advised me on the DNA profiling,” he said.
Mr Seenza said his office would come in to assist once the police were through with the DNA tests.
The relatives who had been asked to go back to their homes were yesterday advised about the developments.
By last night the remains of the victims were still at Chipinge District Hospital.
Last Friday, relatives of the 17 asked Government for mass burial after they disagreed on the identities of the bodies. They changed tack over the weekend after realising there were other methods to help identify their relatives.
The other eight bodies were easily identified and have since been collected for burial.
Green Fuel provided US$250 for each funeral which would be given to the next of kin of each deceased person and this came after the Government gave each bereaved family US$200. DNA testing or genetic finger printing is a technique employed by forensic scientists to assist in the identification of individuals by their DNA profiles.
Samples for such tests are usually taken to South Africa.
Online Reporter