Farirai Mutumburanzou
The Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Honourable Felix Tapiwa Mhona, consoled the Marerwa family yesterday at St. Mary’s Hospital after they tragically lost seven family members in an accident that occurred in Maruta, Hwedza, on October 2.
The Marerwa family was returning from their mother’s funeral, who had passed away after battling throat cancer, when this tragic accident occurred.
Honourable Mhona expressed his sadness over the continuous occurrence of road accidents and urged motorists to adhere to road regulations to prevent further loss of life.
“The most pressing issue we now have is not bad roads, but the way we are driving on our roads. Through the State of Nation Address (SONA), His Excellency President Mnangagwa said more stricter laws are going to be put in place to avoid more loss of lives on the roads.
“We have gathered here to visit the victims of the accident and those who have passed on to have a proper burial and this has all been made possible through our listening President Dr Emmerson D. Mnangagwa who has granted a state assisted burial through the Civil Protection Act,” he said.
The Minister of Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland East, Senator Apollonia Munzverengwi, who was also present, offered her condolences to the Marerwa family.
The Resident MP for Hwedza South, who is also the Minister of Youth, said, “The most important thing is unity among us in Hwedza because no matter how painful it is, God’s will has prevailed. In my own capacity, I will also assist the Marerwa family with foodstuffs for the burial of their loved ones”.
The District Medical Officer, Herbert Bandiki, at Mt. St. Mary’s Hospital, stated that four victims were transferred to Harare for further treatment.
He added that, according to the post-mortem conducted, all the victims succumbed to head, chest, and abdominal injuries.
The death toll has risen from seven to eight people.
According to research conducted by the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe, an average of six people succumb to accidents every day in Zimbabwe.