Online Reporter
Victor Maphosa in Chivhu
A sombre atmosphere engulfed Chivhu General Hospital in Chikomba District yesterday during a memorial service for 27 people who perished in a road traffic accident near Chivhu on Friday night.
The accident, which occurred at the 132km peg, involved a commuter omnibus that collided head-on with a South African-registered haulage truck.
The tragedy has robbed families of their loved ones, leaving them in pain and the community in mourning.
The memorial service was attended by Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe,
Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Felix Mhona, and Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister Tatenda Mavetera.
Before attending the service, Ministers Garwe, Mhona, Mavetera, traditional leaders and other Government officials visited the accident scene, where traditional leaders performed rituals.
Among the mourners was Mr Albert Magiya from Dema, who lost his wife and five children. For Mr Magiya, this was not only an accident but a tragedy that has left a heartbreaking void and scars that will never heal.
Speaking to Zimpapers on the sidelines of the memorial service, Mr Magiya recalled the fateful day.
“On the fateful day, my mind kept on telling me not to go to the conference. I could feel that something was wrong, though I could not actually tell what exactly could be wrong. I kept on having the same feeling until I approached my wife and told her that we should not go to the conference.
“My wife and children pleaded with me to reconsider, but I told them that I had a bad feeling about travelling to the conference. However, they kept on pleading and I reluctantly gave in.
“So, we packed everything that we would need and in the afternoon we went to the bus stop where a hired kombi was supposed to take us. The kombi came, and we loaded our luggage. However, I noticed that it was overloaded. So, my friend and I decided to use public transport to the venue,” Mr Magiya said.
He went on to say that along the way, near Chivhu, he discovered that the kombi had been involved in a fatal accident.
“After leaving my family in that kombi, we then boarded a bus with my colleague. I did not even know that that was the last moment to see my wife and my children alive. We travelled well, until we reached near the accident scene where there was a traffic jam. At first, I thought it was just another road block and as vehicles moved slowly we reached the scene.
“The first thing that I saw was a kombi, which had caught fire. I even realised it was the same kombi with my wife and children. We quickly disembarked and what I saw outside broke my heart. People were dead. Some of the bodies were still inside the kombi, and they too were burning. It looked like some of the passengers had been thrown out of the kombi due to the head-on collision.
“I saw my wife, she was still breathing. I saw my children, four of them, lifeless. But I could not see my other child, and I am told she is among the five who were burnt beyond recognition and now awaits forensic process.”
Mr Magiya said what occurred to him is unbearable and painful.
“Ndarasikirwa nevana nemudzimai. Ndiri kurwadziwa. Pain yacho handizivi kuti ichapera seyi. Imba yangu yaparadzwa.
“I remain hopeful that one day, I will be able to meet them spiritually. I am hopeful that God has granted them peace, wherever they are because they perished while on their way to a church gathering. But I am hurting,” he said.
“I want to thank our Government for coming in with all the assistance from coffins to food. I remain thankful, I remain hopeful.”
Mr Emmanuel Bonda, who lost his wife and three children, could not stop tears from streaming down as Minister Garwe consoled him. He said he became alarmed after his wife failed to answer calls.
“She packed her clothes and that of the kids around 12 and by 2pm they were already in the kombi.
“One thing that she was complaining about was that the kombi was over-loaded. She even asked me if I knew of anyone who had a vehicle going to the same conference so that she and the kids could get a lift, but I knew no-one. I wished them a safe journey,” he said.
“When I finished work, I decided to check on them, but my wife’s mobile phone was not being answered. I kept on trying and I got the same result. I just told myself that maybe she had concealed it in her purse.
“When I got home, I received calls from other church members who were already at the conference informing me of the accident. I informed my work mates and they assisted me to get to the accident scene.”
He said when he arrived at the scene, he was initially told that people had only been injured and rushed to hospital.
“We were told that some people were injured and were rushed to hospital and we could only see them on the next day. Today we went to the hospital and that is when I was told that a lot of people had died. The first person I identified was my son, then others. I am so hurt. Losing my entire family, just like that is unbearable,” he said.
Mr Tawanda Mushonga, who lost his wife, said he last spoke to her over the phone around 2pm on the fateful day.
He said the accident has robbed him of his friend, wife and mother to his children.
“What will I tell my children when they ask about their mother? This is painful,” Mr Mushonga said.
“On that day, I last talked to my wife around 2pm. Then around 7pm, I decided to call again just to check if they had travelled well. Her phone was just ringing, but not answered. I called several times and still got the same result.”
President Mnangagwa has since declared the tragedy a national disaster, ensuring all bereaved families will be assisted to give their loved ones a decent burial. The Government will also assist in the treatment of the six survivors injured in the accident.
In his remarks, Minister Garwe appealed to the bereaved families to be strong in this difficult moment.
“President Mnangagwa has his people at heart. He loves everyone and is deeply moved by this tragedy that has affected all of us,” Minister Garwe said.
“When I heard about this tragedy, I was hurt. I knew as families, you could not shoulder this alone, and as a ministry, we could not also face it alone, so I immediately informed our listening President who did not waste time to declare this a national disaster. This is why Government is now giving assistance to the bereaved families,” he said.
“President Mnangagwa’s message to us all today, is to console you in this difficult time. The whole nation is in mourning. Recently we were in Kariba, where another tragedy occurred and tears have not dried and now we are faced with this tragedy. This is painful and we all need to mourn together and give each other strength.”
Minister Garwe also appealed to traditional leaders and churches to pray for the nation so that the spirit of death may be stopped.
Minister Mhona echoed the grief, saying:
“It is sad that we are gathered here at this place, with tears in our eyes, mourning the sad departure of our loved ones, who perished in a road traffic accident. It is painful that our loved ones are perishing due to road accidents. This is painful. I appeal to all of you to remain strong and be comforted in these difficult moments.
“I appeal to motorists to be cautious on the roads. Do not speed, do not overload and adhere to all stipulated road rules and regulations. Let us all be responsible road users.”
Minister Mavetera added that the affected families were close to her, and she was heartbroken.
“I received the call of the accident around 10pm. I was shocked. I know most of the affected families because I once worked with them in Seke. So to me they are like family. I just want to say to the bereaved families, be comforted. You are not alone in this. We are together in mourning our loved ones.”
