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Victor Maphosa-Mashonaland East Bureau
EIGHT people who died after their commuter omnibus veered off the road and overturned near Hwedza have been granted a State-assisted funeral, Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Minister and Hwedza South MP, Tinoda Machakaire, said yesterday.
The accident occurred at the 5km peg along the Hwedza-Mutiweshiri Road on Tuesday afternoon after the driver of the commuter omnibus reportedly lost control of the vehicle which then veered off the road and overturned several times before landing on its wheels.
Seven people died on the spot while the eighth died at Sally Mugabe Hospital in Harare yesterday.
Another 11 of the passengers sustained injuries.
The majority of the dead are from the Marerwa family in Hwedza and they were coming from the burial of a relative in Ruzane Village in Hwedza.
Soon after the memorial service, Minister Machakaire, accompanied by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland East Dr Aplonia Munzverengwi, Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Felix Mhona, Department of Civil Protection Unit officials and other Government officials visited some of the injured admitted at the hospital.
“I want to thank President Mnangagwa for the assistance given to the bereaved families to decently bury their loved ones. Usually, when a family loses a large number of their members, that family will struggle to bury their loved ones.
“As Hwedza, we are thankful to the Government for the assistance in the form of coffins, food and transport. As Hwedza South MP, I will also make sure there is enough food during the burials. What is important now is for the Hwedza family to remain united in times like these. Let us mourn together and give a proper burial to the deceased,” said Minister Machakaire.
Minister Mhona took the opportunity to remind drivers to always follow road rules and regulations.
“This is a very difficult moment for us all. It is painful to lose our loved ones in road accidents. We are here as a Government to mourn with the bereaved families. Let me also take this opportunity to remind motorists to always be cautious on the road. Let us not be reckless, drivers should always be alert and keep in mind that the lives of those that they transport are in their hands.”
Minister Munzverengwi reiterated the importance of adhering to road rules and regulations.
“We are running short of proper words to express our gratitude to the Government for this assistance which came at the opportune time.
“The accident occurred when the family members were coming from burying our mother who had just passed away after succumbing to cancer-related illness. On their way, these mourners met their death. It is hard for us as a family,” he said.
Police have named the dead as Evans Marerwa (37), Liberty Marerwa (31), Mendy Marerwa (12), Panashe Marerwa (25), Yvonne Meki (26) and Ethel Mhena (1) all from Kuwadzana 5, Harare as well as Wirimai Munhuurupi (49) from Norton.
Reports suggest that the commuter omnibus had 20 passengers on board.
Online Reporter