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Mashudu Netsianda Senior Reporter
VICE President Phelekezela Mphoko yesterday consoled the family of a 10-year-old Bulawayo boy who was fatally hit by a vehicle in Pumula North suburb last week.
Polite Dube and his friend, Methembe Moyo who is also aged 10, were hit by a vehicle that was being driven by a Zanu-PF member when it veered off the road as they were coming from the shops.
The vehicle was carrying party supporters who were going to a campaign rally.
Polite died on the spot and Methembe was rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital where he was treated and discharged.
VP Mphoko, who was accompanied by the Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs, Cde Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo as well as the former Governor of Matabeleland South, Cde Angeline Masuku and Zanu-PF’s candidate for Pumula in the June 10 by-elections, Cde Godfrey Malaba, met Polite’s father, Saulos Dube and the boy’s grandmother, Farai Chaipa at their home in Pumula North.
The Vice-President expressed sadness over the death of the boy and gave the family $100 to console them (imali yezandla).
“It’s sad that you lost your beloved son under such unfortunate circumstances but be strong and we pray that God offers you all the comfort that you deserve during this difficult moment,” said VP Mphoko.
Polite, who was a Grade 5 pupil at Amaswazi Primary School in Pumula, was buried on Friday.
Dube thanked VP Mphoko for comforting the family. “The visit by the Vice-President is a good gesture and we’re glad that he visited us to console us as we’re still mourning our son. It was the will of God and all we’ve to do is to accept it,” said Dube.
Cde Malaba dismissed a story carried in the NewsDay newspaper implying that the two boys were hit by a Zanu-PF car used for campaign rallies.
“We’re thankful to the Vice President for the gesture and we hope this will dispel the negative publicity by NewsDay, which sought to portray a bad image of our party, Zanu-PF.
“We want to reiterate that the person who was driving the car is our member from Matabeleland South but he wasn’t using a Zanu-PF car as reported by NewsDay,” he said.
Cde Malaba condemned reckless driving and urged drivers to exercise caution whenever driving in built up areas.
Earlier on, VP Mphoko visited various community projects that he is funding in Cowdray Park, Lobengula and Pumula North.
The schemes include a brick- moulding project in Cowdray Park, grinding mill in Pumula North and sewing project in Lobengula.
VP Mphoko also pledged to play a leading role in reviving Bulawayo’s industry and create employment for the people.
Online Reporter