Insurance firms give $1m for funerals of 22

Herald Reporters

Short-term insurance and reinsurance companies under the Insurance Council of Zimbabwe (ICZ) banner have donated $1,07 million to the Department of Civil Protection (DCP), to help cover the funeral expenses of 22 people who perished in a horror car crash along the Masvingo-Zvishavane highway on Monday afternoon.

This comes as police released 14 names of the 22 people yesterday.

Nine of the deceased are understood to be members of the Shara family from Gutu.

In a statement, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the victims had been positively identified by their next of kin.

They are Samuel Dube (65) of Gwayi, Julius Mudiwa (39) of Gutu, Richard Muparadzi (42) of Makoni, Romeo Ndlovu (24) of Zvishavane, Felix Moyo (27) of Chivi, Lincoln Kudakwashe Muungani (26) of ZRP Buchwa Support Unit and Melania Mukaro (age not given) of Gutu.

Others are Magnesia Tsoka (34), Jemitias Simpilisiwe Shara (72), Alois Munyanyi Chitambira (66), Mirirai Grace Rundare (42), Merita Esnath Machando (64), Faulstino Shara (61) and Mazorodze Shara (37) all of Gutu.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police is still conducting investigations into the accident and urges the public to take heed of the Government’s call to stop boarding mushikashika or pirate taxis. The public should observe and comply with Covid-19 protocols and measures to safeguard lives,” Asst Comm Nyathi said.

It emerged yesterday that the two vehicles involved in the crash, a Toyota Granvia and a Toyota Wish, only had third party insurance cover.

In a statement, ICZ chief executive Mr Tendai Karonga, said the pirate taxis did not have public passenger liability cover, leaving the deceased without insurance compensation.

Mr Karonga said the ex-gratia payment of $1,07 million to the DCP was to help cushion the funeral and burial expenses of the deceased.

An ex-gratia payment given as a favour or from a sense of moral obligation rather than because of any legal requirement.

Masvingo police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa yesterday revealed that the sole survivor in the crash remained critical in hospital.

“As of today (Wednesday) morning, one person who survived the crash was in a critical condition at Zvishavane District Hospital,” he said.