The President of Bishops Healing Nations, Bishop Tonderayi Muzira, on behalf of the Board, pens a condolence message to the families who lost children in Gweru. He says their hearts are bleeding but they trust that God the only true Healer, will comfort them in this painful period.
This tragic incident occurred Wednesday’s morning, where seven primary school children lost their lives in an explosion while traveling in a Toyota Hiace kombi at Senga Shopping Center in Gweru. Eighteen other children sustained minor injuries, including the driver and conductor of the vehicle.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of seven school children in Gweru after a bus burst into flames.
On behalf of Bishops Healing Nations, I extend heartfelt condolences to the parents, families, school and all affected. May God, the Father of compassion, draw near to every broken heart in this hour.”
“Through the Bishops Burial Society, BHN pledges immediate support with dignified burial arrangements and practical care for all affected families. Our Midlands team is already mobilized to serve,” said Bishop Muzira.
“We call all Bishops Healing Nations churches to pray and stand with the grieving. Psalm 34:18 says, The Lord is near to the brokenhearted.”
In an interview conducted by local online publication (Zim Sun News), it noted that, Officer Commanding Gweru District, Superintendent Rosemary Gete, stated that most of the deceased children were from Matongo Primary School. “The exact number of children who have perished is still being confirmed, and the cause of the fire is under investigation. We urge motorists not to carry flammable substances, such as petrol, in public service vehicles,” she said.
Mr. Jameson Machimbira, the provincial director of the Ministry of Education, expressed his shock at the incident, noting that this was the first time such a tragedy involving children in a kombi had occurred in the province.
Senior government officials, including Gweru Mayor Clr Martin Chivhoko, arrived at the scene. Clr Chivhoko expressed his condolences, stating that many of the victims were from the council-owned Matongo Primary School. “This is a very difficult time for everyone in our school community and for us as parents,” he said.
Such incidents occur every year, not only in Zimbabwe but around the world. Earlier this year, a private scholar transport minibus collided with a truck near Vanderbijlpark in Gauteng, south of Johannesburg.
