The Sunday Mail
Vusumuzi Dube
THE Zimbabwe Republic Police have released the names of 27 of the 30 victims who died in the Brooklyn Bus explosion at West Nicholson in Gwanda District two weeks ago.
A sombre atmosphere engulfed United Bulawayo Hospitals Mortuary yesterday as relatives of the deceased trooped in to collect their loved ones for burial with heavy faces and tears.
The remains of three victims are unidentified as relatives of the victims are yet to approach officials and provide DNA samples to enable identification.
The accident occurred last month at the 181km peg along the Bulawayo-Beitbridge Road, and is suspected to have been caused by a gas cylinder that exploded.
The bus was travelling from Zvishavane to Musina in South Africa.
A total 33 people died in the inferno — 32 on the spot — and 30 of them were burnt beyond recognition while 27 others had serious injuries.
Police National Spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba named the 27 victims who were identified with assistance from the National University of Science and Technology’s Applied Genetics Testing Centre.
She appealed to members of the public who suspected that their relatives could have died in the inferno to come forward and enable identification of the three remaining victims.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police informs the nation that 27 bodies of the victims who perished in the fatal fire incident that occurred at the 181 kilometre peg along Bulawayo — Beitbridge road on 15 November 2018, have been identified through forensic DNA tests which were conducted by the National University of Science and Technology.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police is still appealing to members of the public who suspect that their relatives might have perished in the inferno to come forward for the DNA testing process at Nust, as three other remains are yet to be identified,” said Snr Asst Com Charamba.
She said the Police and Registrar-General’s Office had established a contact point at UBH for processing of burial orders.
The identified victims are: BekezelaMsipa, Boyd Mnhema, Chiedza Chatikobo, Fadzai Chaparadza, Getha Moyo, Judith Dhliwayo, Lilian Kudhande, Linnet Ndavambwa, Liverson Masunda, Loveness Ncube, Maria Chilongo, Maria Wilson, Mary Moyo, Mayibongwe Mhlanga, Melusi Nyoni, Mhurayi Moyo, Moment Mpofu, Precious Chatira Mpofu, Precious Zulu, Rutendo Masvina, Similo Ndlovu, Sitshengisiwe Nyathi, Soneni Dube, Tafadzwa Thomas, Takudzwa Chaparadza, Thembelani Nyathi and Thengiwe Sibanda.
In an interview at the funeral service, Matabeleland South Provincial Administrator Ms Sithandiwe Ncube paid tribute to those working flat out to ensure the deceased were identified.
“So far, everything has gone very well we have had the results of the DNA tests and people have been informed of the outcome, at the moment what is happening is that all those with remains that have been identified they have come forward to claim their loved ones. Relatives are now sorting out burial orders, getting ready to go to the funeral palour.
“As we mentioned after the accident, the Civil Protection Unit has given all the families $500, Brooklyn Bus Services has also promised to give each family $200, the challenge we are facing for now is fuel but we are now talking to those running fuel stations such that if the bereaved families produce their burial orders they can access fuel without having to queue,” said Ms Ncube.
Relatives who spoke to our Bulawayo Bureau said the two-week wait for the DNA results had been painful and now they faced the reality that their loved ones had indeed passed on.
“This is especially painful for us because my father-in-law, Mr Thembelani Nyathi, had just boarded the bus and the explosion occurred about 15 minutes later, it is unbelievable,” said Mr Peter Kanongo.
Ms Nomathemba Msipa, who lost a sister, Bekezela, said as a breadwinner to her family, they did not know how to move forward.
“My sister was 31-years-old, separated with her husband but taking care of her three children and the rest of the family through cross-border trading, she was hardworking and would always teach people not to rely on anyone but work hard for their own upliftment,” said MsMsipa.
