Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, [email protected]
FAMILIES and friends gathered yesterday beneath a heavy pall of grief as the nation bade farewell to the 12 people who perished in last Thursday’s horrific Toyota Quantum explosion near Bulawayo. Three of the victims are still undergoing DNA testing, underscoring the depth of anguish surrounding the tragedy. As tears flowed and voices trembled, Government moved decisively, ordering thorough investigations to establish, without fail, the origin and intended destination of the explosives that detonated inside the vehicle.
The doomed vehicle had been travelling along the Bulawayo–Esigodini Road when tragedy struck at the 16 kilometre peg, turning an ordinary journey into an unspeakable loss that has shaken communities across Matabeleland South and beyond.
At Doves Funeral Parlour in Bulawayo, an emotional cloud of sorrow hung thick in the air. Multitudes gathered, among them Cabinet ministers and senior officials, as 12 caskets were lined up at the front, each one a stark reminder of lives abruptly cut short. The farewell service unfolded quietly, punctuated by sobs, prayers and the shared silence of a city in mourning.
Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe delivered a deeply moving address, openly questioning how such dangerous and frightening material as explosives could find its way into a public service vehicle.
He said while investigations were still ongoing, it was now clear that the vehicle had been carrying explosives, and he challenged the security apparatus to go beyond surface findings and establish where the explosives were purchased and their intended destination.
“Questions will continue being asked — why were explosives in the car and why were they not identified? Who is selling these explosives? As Government, we must find answers. We are an independent country, we are not at war, so why are such explosives being sold publicly?” said Minister Nguluvhe.
He described the past two months as particularly tragic for the province, following a series of fatal road traffic accidents that have claimed at least 11 additional lives.
Among the victims of these recent calamities were four members of the same family, incidents that have left entire communities stunned and struggling to process the scale of the loss.
“On behalf of Matabeleland South, our hearts are bleeding. It has been a very bad two months where we also lost an entire family at Shangani and seven people at Mawabeni. It is touching to see a mother and her son among the deceased.”
The funeral service drew a cross section of national leadership, including Minister of Environment and Climate Change Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, who is also deputy chairperson of the Cabinet Committee on Environment and Disaster Prevention, Industry and Commerce Minister Cde Mangaliso Ndlovu, who is also Zanu-PF Matabeleland South provincial chairperson, Deputy Ministers Dr Omphile Marupi (Information and Publicity) and Cde Albert Mavhunga (Local Government), as well as Civil Protection Department director general Mr Nathan Nkomo.
Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu, who was the chief mourner, said following President Mnangagwa’s declaration of the accident as a State of Disaster, Government would extend support to the bereaved families through state assisted burials. This includes the provision of a two tier casket and hearse, as well as food assistance.
“Following the declaration a Command Centre was established at United Bulawayo Hospitals and transferred to Doves to provide support in the form of, psychosocial support teams from Social Development and Health, burial orders processed by the Registry Office, Doves Funeral Services coordinating dignified burial arrangements. Three bodies still need to undergo DNA testing,” said Minister Ndlovu.
He said the tragedies were deeply disturbing, particularly because many of those who perished were young people with their futures ahead of them.
“This tragedy makes one tremble. The majority of the victims are young people — future leaders,” he said.
Minister Ndlovu commended President Mnangagwa for swiftly declaring the incident a State of Disaster, a move that enabled coordinated national support for affected families.
Umzingwane legislator, Retired Brigadier General Levy Mayihlome, paid tribute to those who first rushed to the scene in an attempt to help.
“They tried to offer first aid, but I guess it was too late,” he said.
Rtd Brig Gen Mayihlome revealed that the explosion occurred only days after another deadly incident in Mawabeni, within his constituency, where seven people were killed.
“The seven who perished were rendering aid to a motorist who had been involved in a minor accident,” he said. He added that the district would organise a prayer service at the explosion site, which lies only a few metres from the scene of a devastating 2023 crash involving a Toyota Quantum that claimed 22 lives.
Speaking on behalf of the bereaved families, Mr Freddy Mpofu expressed heartfelt appreciation for the support extended by Government during their darkest hour. “When you have someone assisting you in times of need, you then know that you have a friend indeed. We are so grateful to the Government, led by President Mnangagwa, for extending this gesture to us,” he said.
Mr Mpofu also appealed for counselling services to be availed to affected families to help them navigate their grief and begin the long journey towards healing.
Meanwhile, police have released the names of nine of the 12 victims who died in the explosion. They are Thabani Moyo (37) of Old Lobengula, Nobuhle Mdlongwa (37) of Entumbane, Oscar Mdlongwa (44), Sicelesile Mabhena of Nkulumane 5, Sibusiso Mabhena (5) of Nkulumane 5, Mhlupheki Limkani Sibanda (36) of Nkulumane 5, Tedious Ncube, Precious Moyo (36) of Pumula North, and Promise Brian Gabadela.
