President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared the Gweru school transport tragedy that claimed the lives of seven primary school learners a national disaster, paving the way for Government assistance to bereaved families and other affected parties.
The accident occurred yesterday when a commuter omnibus carrying pupils from Matongo and Stanley primary schools caught fire near Senga Shopping Centre in Gweru.
In a statement, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Martin Rushwaya, said President Mnangagwa had been briefed on the incident and had expressed his condolences to the affected families.
“He was briefed this evening about the tragic accident in which seven pupils perished in an inferno when a commuter omnibus they were travelling in caught fire in the Senga suburb of Gweru,” said Dr Rushwaya.
Dr Rushwaya said the President had directed that the incident be declared a national disaster to enable Government to mobilise resources and provide immediate support to bereaved families and all those affected.
The learners were reportedly travelling home to Mtautsi, Dalesford and Nehosho suburbs when the vehicle caught fire at around 1pm.
Witnesses said members of the public rushed to the scene and managed to rescue several children by breaking windows and forcing open the vehicle’s sliding door. However, seven learners two girls and five boys were trapped and died in the blaze.
President Mnangagwa also urged motorists and public transport operators to exercise maximum caution on the country’s roads.
Gweru Mayor, Martin Chivhoko confirmed the deaths, describing the incident as a dark day for the city.
“I can confirm that seven bodies of infant learners were retrieved from a commuter omnibus that caught fire in Senga today. It is a sad day for the people of Gweru,” he said.
Preliminary figures from the Public Service Commission Midlands Provincial Coordinator, Andrew Chimanyiwa indicated that 23 learners were on board the vehicle. Midlands Provincial Police Commander, Commissioner Patson Nyabadza said investigations into the cause of the fire were continuing.
The tragedy has plunged Gweru and the nation into mourning as authorities work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the fatal incident.
