Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
A WAVE of support continues to reach families affected by the Lake Kariba ferry disaster, with traditional healer Dr Kamwelo Banda and members of the business community donating food and other essential goods to communities in mourning.
This follows President Mnangagwa’s call for individuals, businesses and organisations to rally behind families affected by the tragedy, which claimed 97 lives and was declared a State of Disaster.
On Tuesday, Dr Banda, together with businessmen Messrs Unesco Chirinda and Moses Chipi, handed over bags of maize, foodstuffs and sanitary pads to Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Marian Chombo at her offices in Chinhoyi.
The assistance is set to be distributed to affected families under Chief Mola in Kariba Rural next week.
Dr Banda said the donation sought to complement Government efforts to cushion families grappling with the devastating loss of loved ones.
“We are responding to the calls for help. We understand that after the ferry disaster, the victims were left in dire need of food items, clothes and blankets.
“At this juncture, we do not have to blame one another, but show signs of Ubuntu by extending a hand to those in need,” he said.
Mr Chirinda and Mr Chipi called on more members of the business community to come forward and assist affected families, particularly children who lost their parents in the disaster.
They said the children would require sustained assistance with school fees, uniforms and other educational requirements.
Minister Chombo expressed gratitude to the donors for responding to the national call for assistance and encouraged more individuals and organisations to extend support to the affected families.
“We are grateful to Sekuru Banda and the business community for responding to the call for help. The victims also need clothes and blankets, while minors who lost their parents need school fees and other support for their education,” she said.
The latest donation adds to the growing financial and material assistance being mobilised by Government, companies and other stakeholders following the August 11 tragedy.
Government has announced US$100 in financial assistance for each person affected by the disaster, with payments to survivors and the next of kin of deceased victims intended to help families meet immediate expenses.
The Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) has also provided US$20 000 to complement Government efforts and help meet costs associated with supporting survivors and the families of those who died.
CBZ Holdings, through the CBZ Foundation, has committed up to US$50 000 in immediate financial assistance to affected families.
Under the package, each affected family will receive US$300 towards meeting immediate needs following the tragedy.
The Government and its partners have also continued providing logistical assistance, including food, clothing, coffins and transport support to affected families.
Meanwhile, three more victims of the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) boat accident in Kariba have been identified, bringing the number of victims whose identities have been confirmed by their next of kin to 96.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police released the names yesterday, in an update following its press statement of August 19, which contained the names of victims identified at the time.
The latest identified victims are Wilson Parare Musaka, aged 74, a male from Nyamhunga 2, Kariba; 44-year-old Nyarai Fununo, a female from Kapandura Village, Chief Mola, Kariba and seven-year-old Lynol Samanyanga, a male from 2197 Batonga, Kariba.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the overall death toll remains at 97, with one victim still to be identified.
Police appealed to the public with relatives who remain missing and may have been travelling aboard the boat to come forward to assist with the identification process.
The identification of the three victims brings authorities closer to establishing the identities of all those who perished in the tragedy.
Police have continued with the identification process in consultation with the victims’ next of kin as investigations into the accident proceed.
