Latwell Nyangu
MEMBERS of the Johane Masowe yeChishanu faith are typically buried without coffins.
However, Madzibaba Lawrence Katsiru, the Johane Masowe yeChishanu leader, says businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, will be laid to rest in coffins.
Katsiru revealed this during the funeral wake of the couple at their home in Gletwyn, Harare.
The burial is set for Thursday at Glen Forest.
This has been confirmed by the family spokesperson, Herbert Chivayo. Wicknell, 46, and Lucy Muteke, 35, died last Wednesday, in a helicopter crash at Kudenga Farm in rural Marondera.
The accident also claimed the lives of pilot Calvin Tafirei Soda, co-pilot Courage Mutavirwa, and security aide Saneliswe Magagula.
The two pilots and Magagula have already been buried.
Madzibaba Katsiru said, although Johane Masowe yeChishanu members are generally buried without coffins, the severity of the crash meant a different arrangement was necessary.
He said the impact left the remains in a condition that required forensic DNA testing to identify and separate the victims.
He added that due to the condition of the bodies, Wicknell and his wife will be buried in coffins when the burial takes place on Thursday.
In an interview, Katsiru said the burial will follow both the law and the guidance of medical experts.
“Kana munhu ane state yekukuvara seyakaita Baba Wicknell nemadzimai Lucy, we bury them in their coffins.
“We will follow what the health experts say but once we receive the bodies, we will bury them in their coffins in a proper way that will not disturb anything”.
Madzibaba Katsiru said Chivayo’s family has advised the faith leaders to take over the burial process once the bodies are brought home.
He said the family has entrusted them with the burial responsibilities, in accordance with their tradition.
“We are the owners of the body, the family surrendered the bodies to us, so we will treat the bodies the way we do in our tradition,” he said.
“Togonoviga munhu netsika dzedu, and you will see when the bodies come home, we will start our prayers. We will do the prayers according to what we were told by the spirit.”
Madzibaba Katsiru added:
“Tichaita zvatakanzi tiite naMutumwa and we will not change anything, we will follow everything in line with the orders.
“Yes, he was declared a (provincial) hero and we will allow them to do their part, but we will do our part as well, until they are buried in a good manner, that’s the process.”
