Staff Reporter
THE First Lady, Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa, has expressed her condolences following the tragic deaths of seven children in a commuter omnibus fire in Gweru, as well as three people who drowned in an unsecured sewer pond in Budiriro, Harare.
Seven primary school learners lost their lives when a commuter omnibus transporting them from school caught fire in Senga, Gweru. In a separate incident, three people were found dead in an unsecured sewer pond in Budiriro.
Amai Mnangagwa said she was deeply saddened by the two tragedies that claimed innocent lives.
“My heart is shattered by the cruel loss of seven primary school learners in the devastating kombi fire incident in Senga, Gweru.
“It is painful beyond words to imagine the dreams, laughter and bright futures that were so tragically cut short.
“I am equally saddened by the loss of lives in Budiriro, Harare, where three bodies were recovered from an unsecured sewer pond that was reportedly left open for months. No family should have to endure such a painful loss,” she said.
Dr. Mnangagwa extended her condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to those injured and receiving treatment in the hospital.
Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Midlands Province, Owen Ncube, also expressed his condolences and solidarity with the families affected by the Senga commuter omnibus tragedy.
Speaking in Harare while attending deliberations on Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3) at Parliament, Minister Ncube assured the affected families that the Government would stand with them during this difficult period and provide the necessary support as investigations continue.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the affected families, the injured learners and the entire Matongo Primary School community,” he said.
The Government has since declared the Gweru accident a state of disaster.
Eleven people, including the driver of the commuter omnibus, remain hospitalized.
