Source: Mass funeral service for 12 kombi explosion victims – herald
Sikhumbuzo Moyo
AS families, friends and scores of mourners yesterday paid their last respects to the 12 people who died in a horrific Toyota Quantum explosion near Bulawayo last Thursday, thorough investigations are underway to establish the origins and destination of the explosives that detonated inside the vehicle.
The vehicle was on its way to South Africa along the Bulawayo-Esigodini Road when disaster struck at the 16km peg.
The service for the 12 at Doves Funeral Parlour in Bulawayo saw many, among them Cabinet ministers, bid farewell to the deceased.
Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Albert Nguluvhe delivered a moving speech, questioning how and why a public service vehicle could be used to carry such dangerous and frightening material such as explosives.
He said, while investigations are still ongoing, it is clear that the vehicle was carrying explosives before challenging the security apparatus to do thorough investigations, not only to verify if there were explosives, but to find out where they were bought and their destination.
“Questions will continue being asked: Why were explosives in the car and why were they not identified?
“Who is selling these explosives? As Government, we must find answers. We are an independent country, we are not at war, so why are such explosives being sold publicly?” said Minister Nguluvhe.
He described the past two months as tragic for the province, following a series of other fatal road traffic accidents that have claimed 11 lives.
The victims include four members of the same family, in incidents that have left communities in shock and mourning.
“On behalf of Matabeleland South, our hearts are bleeding. It has been a very bad two months where we also lost an entire family at Shangani and seven people at Mawabeni,” Minister Nguluvhe said.
“It is touching to see a mother and her son among the deceased.”
Environment and Climate Change Minister Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, who is also the deputy chairperson of the Cabinet Committee on Environment and Disaster Prevention; Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu, who is also Zanu PF Matabeleland South Provincial chairperson; Deputy Ministers Dr Omphile Marupi (Information and Publicity) and Cde Albert Mavhunga (Local Government), as well as Civil Protection Department director general Mr Nathan Nkomo, also attended the funeral service.
Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu, who was the chief mourner, said President Mnangagwa declared the accident a State of disaster with families receiving assistance in the form of State-assisted burial and groceries.
“Following the declaration a command centre was established at United Bulawayo Hospitals and transferred to Doves to provide support in the form of, psychosocial support teams from Social Development and Health, burial orders processed by the Registry Office, Doves Funeral Services coordinating dignified burial arrangements. Three bodies still need to undergo DNA testing,” said Minister Ndlovu.
He said the tragedies were deeply disturbing, noting that many of the victims were young people.
“This tragedy makes one tremble. The majority of the victims are young people, future leaders,” he said.
Minister Ndlovu commended President Mnangagwa for declaring the disturbing, noting that many of the victims were young people.
“This tragedy makes one tremble. The majority of the victims are young people, future leaders,” he said.
Minister Ndlovu commended President Mnangagwa for declaring the incident a state of disaster.
Umzingwane legislator, Retired Brigadier General Levy Mayihlome, praised those who provided first responses for their swift reaction.
“They tried to offer first aid, but I guess it was too late,” he said.
Rtd Brig Mayihlome revealed that the accident came just days after another tragedy in Mawabeni, within his constituency, where seven people died.
“The seven who perished were rendering aid to a motorist who had been involved in a minor accident,” he said.
Rtd Brig Gen Mayihlome added that the district would organise a prayer service at the accident scene, which is located only a few metres from the site of another fatal crash in 2023 that claimed 22 lives involving a Toyota Quantum.
Speaking on behalf of the bereaved families, Mr Freddy Mpofu expressed gratitude for Government support.
“When you have someone assisting you in times of need, you then know that you have a friend indeed. We are so grateful to the Government, led by President Mnangagwa, for extending this gesture to us,” he said.
Mr Mpofu appealed for counselling services to be provided to affected families to help them cope with their loss.
Meanwhile, police have released names of nine of the 12 who died. These are: Thabani Moyo (37) of Old Lobengula, Nobuhle Mdlongwa (37) – Entumbane, Oscar Mdlongwa (44), Sicelesile Mabhena – Nkulumane 5, Sibusiso Mabhena (5) – Nkulumane 5, Mhlupheki Limkani Sibanda (36) – Nkulumane 5, Tedious Ncube, Precious Moyo (36) – Pumula North, and Promise Brian Gabadela.
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