Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba in GWERU
THE tragedy, in which seven primary school pupils died after being burnt beyond recognition after a kombi they were travelling in caught fire here yesterday, was caused by NEGLIGENCE, a top official has said.
Authorities say preliminary indications show that there were 23 pupils in the kombi.
Seven of these pupils, who were sitting at the back of the kombi, died on the spot when the vehicle caught fire near Senga Shopping Centre.
The pupils were from Matongo and Stanley Primary Schools.
A resident, who helped pull out many of the pupils to safety, said the screams of those who died will haunt him for the rest of his life.
The tragedy happened at about 1pm as the pupils were being transported to their homes in Mtautsi, Dalsford and Nehosho suburbs.
A number of other pupils survived death by a whisker after they were pulled out from the burning kombi by shoppers and revellers who were at the shops when the fire broke out.
Public Service Commission Midlands Provincial Coordinator, Andrew Chimanyiwa, said they were at the Midlands Heroes Acre, burying a Liberation War hero, when they were told about the disaster.
He said preliminary investigations indicate that there were 23 learners on board the vehicle.
“We recovered seven bodies, that is two girls and five boys,” he said.
“What happened here is total negligence, the driver and the conductor had a 10-litre jerry can with petrol, which they placed close to the battery after loading the children and the vehicle exploded.”
When our news crew arrived at the scene, the bodies of the deceased were being taken to Gweru Provincial Hospital mortuary.
The kombi had been reduced to its shell.
Gweru Mayor, Martin Chivhoko, said:
“I can confirm that seven bodies of infant leaners were retrieved from a commuter omnibus that caught fire in Senga today.
“It’s a sad day for the people of Gweru.”
Commissioner Patson Nyabadza, the Officer Commanding ZRP in the Midlands Province, addressed the parents and guardians gathered at Matongo Primary School.
He said contrary to earlier reports, no child was taken to the hospital as all those who survived had no injuries.
“Right now we are consolidating names and surnames of pupils who were in the commuter omnibus.
“We will have full facts by tomorrow morning,” he said
Ward 5 Councillor, Aaron Mumvana, said the pupils were from Senga and Stanley Primary School and were being transported home.
“It was around lunch hour when the vehicle caught fire.
“Revellers and shoppers who were at the shopping centre managed to open the sliding door and took out the pupils.
“Unfortunately those at the back failed to make it,” he said.
A Gweru resident, Aaron Moyo, who was at the shopping centre when the tragedy happened, said the fire consumed the kombi in less than five minutes, sending shockwaves among residents in the area.
“We quickly sprang to action when we saw the vehicle on fire. We broke the windows to rescue others while others came through the sliding doors,” he said.
“The fire was just too much as we failed to save those who were at the back. Their screams will haunt me for life.
“It was just too much,” he said.
The tragedy has left the Gweru community reeling, with parents and teachers mourning the loss of the children.
