Online Reporter
Obey Musiwa
Herald Reporter
Kadoma City Council has waived grave fees for the families of four people killed in a road accident in Ngezi, while also mourning victims of the Lake Kariba boat disaster and calling for community support for the bereaved.
Mayor, Councillor Nigel Ruzario, said the twin tragedies had left families and communities grieving and appealed to churches, businesses, community organisations and well-wishers to assist those affected with funeral arrangements and other needs.
The four Ngezi accident victims – Fungai Dzomba, Mitchel Kanogwere, 27, Elizabeth Chavhunguma, 39, and Chenesai Chaitezvi, 26 – were reportedly travelling from Rimuka Cemetery in a Honda Fit when the vehicle was involved in a head-on collision with a double-cab vehicle near a service station along the Harare-Bulawayo highway.
Cllr Ruzario expressed condolences to the victims’ families, describing the loss as devastating to both the affected families and the wider community.
“His Worship the Mayor, councillors, council management and the entire Kadoma City Council family extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the four people who tragically lost their lives.
“We are deeply saddened by this devastating loss of life,” he said.
In a follow-up statement, council confirmed that it had moved to ease the financial burden on the bereaved families by providing graves at no cost.
“Council has availed graves for the deceased at no cost to the bereaved families,” the statement said.
“As a community, let us come together in compassion and solidarity to support the families and remind them that they are not alone in their grief.”
Meanwhile, the council extended its condolences to families affected by the Lake Kariba boat disaster, which claimed multiple lives.
“The Mayor, councillors, Town Clerk, management and staff of Kadoma City Council extend their deepest condolences to the families, relatives and friends of all those who tragically lost their lives in the Lake Kariba boat disaster,” the council said.
It also expressed solidarity with survivors and others affected by the tragedy, while commending emergency services, rescue teams and other stakeholders involved in the response.
“We also stand in solidarity with the survivors and all those affected by this tragedy, and salute the courage and dedication of the emergency services, rescue teams and all stakeholders involved,” the council said.
The correct position is that Kadoma Town Council will foot the bill for the grave sites. In fact Kadoma residents will pay for the sites. They are not for free although the affected families won’t pay from their pockets.