by Jeremiah Gora
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared Wednesday’s fatal commuter omnibus fire in Senga, Gweru a National Disaster, paving the way for government to mobilise immediate assistance for bereaved families and survivors.
Seven pupils perished in the inferno when the kombi they were travelling in caught fire in the Gweru suburb on June 10, 2026.
Eleven more pupils and the driver were hospitalised, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr M. Rushwaya confirmed in a press statement last night.
“In expressing his deepest, heartfelt condolences to the affected families, His Excellency the President has directed that this grisly accident be declared a National Disaster to allow government room to move in and mobilise resources for immediate assistance to the bereaved families and all those hospitalised,” Dr Rushwaya said.
The President, who was briefed on the tragedy, extended condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured pupils a speedy recovery.
Dr Rushwaya said President Mnangagwa also appealed to all road users to exercise maximum caution on the roads to avoid more such tragic accidents, which have recurred with disturbing frequency in the last 30 days.
The cause of the fire and identities of the victims had not been released by press time.
Police in Gweru are continuing investigations into the crash.
Meanwhile, Police have appealed for patience from parents and guardians as investigations continue.
Prelininary investigations have revealed that the victims are two boys and five girls, who were among the group.
Authorities are still working to verify the identities of the deceased at the time of reporting.
Officer Commanding Midlands Province, Patson Nyabadza, said police were compiling the names of all pupils who had been travelling in the vehicle before releasing official information.
“Right now we are consolidating names and surnames of pupils who were in the commuter omnibus. We will have full facts by tomorrow morning,” Commissioner Nyabadza said.
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