dyton mupawaenda
Farirai Machivenyika in MASVINGO
THE death toll of Zimbabweans killed in a fire at Usindiso building in Marshall Town, Johannesburg, South Africa on August 31 has risen to seven after two more bodies were identified as being Zimbabweans, Consul General at the Zimbabwean Consulate in Johannesburg, Mr Eria Phiri, said yesterday.
In an interview on the sidelines of a strategic planning review workshop for the country’s diplomats ongoing in Masvingo, Mr Phiri said the bodies of a woman and her 18-month-old daughter were identified through DNA tests after they were burnt beyond recognition.
He identified them as Ms Wadzanai Kasu and her daughter Anesu from Mutare.
“We have so far managed to identify seven bodies after we were notified of the identification of two more bodies on Tuesday. Of the seven, three had their bodies identified from visible features while the others were identified through DNA. So far we have managed to repatriate five bodies that have already been buried while we are working flat out that the latest two are also repatriated for decent burials,” Mr Phiri said.
He said the country’s embassy and its consulates in Johannesburg and Cape Town were open to render assistance to any Zimbabwean whether documented or undocumented if they encounter difficulties in line with President Mnangagwa’s policy of “leaving no one and no place behind”.
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu