By Staff Reporter
THE fatal road traffic accident which claimed 11 lives last week in Bulawayo saw four same family members perishing at once, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed.
Speaking at the Mass funeral service Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Albert Nguluvhe has questioned 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.
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.
