Norman Dururu
GWERU – First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa is expected tomorrow, Wednesday, June 17, to attend the send-off ceremony for the seven schoolchildren who perished in a commuter omnibus inferno while travelling home from school in Senga, Gweru.
In letters addressed to various stakeholders, Midlands Acting Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Kudakwashe Machako, confirmed that the First Lady will officiate at the ceremony, which will be held at Gweru Sports Club.
The send-off is expected to pave the way for burials, as the families have had to wait for DNA test results to identify the remains of their children.
Machako also invited members of the church fraternity to provide spiritual and emotional support to the bereaved families.
The Office of the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution said Dr Mnangagwa’s presence would bring comfort, solidarity and support to the grieving families and the wider Gweru community.
“It also highlights the value placed on the lives of Zimbabwe’s children and reinforces support for road safety and care for the bereaved,” read part of the statement from the Minister’s office.
Zanu PF Midlands Province Women’s League executive member Zezai Makomo also announced Dr Mnangagwa’s visit to the grieving families.
Makomo was part of a high-level Zanu-PF delegation led by Politburo member Tsitsi Mzenda, which visited the families.
The tragic accident occurred on June 10 when a commuter omnibus carrying 24 schoolchildren caught fire near Chirandu Business Centre.
The government has since declared the accident a state of disaster.
Parents of the seven deceased children are expected to receive DNA test results today to help identify their children, some of whom were burnt beyond recognition.
The driver and conductor of the commuter omnibus have since appeared in court facing culpable homicide charges. They were remanded in custody to June 23.
