Government Tightens Learner Transport Safety After Gweru Inferno Claims Seven Young Lives

Gweru — Government has announced prospective sweeping reforms to strengthen learner transportation safety across Zimbabwe following the devastating fire incident that claimed seven young children in Gweru, with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education pledging that such a tragedy must never be allowed to recur.

Delivering a sombre statement during a memorial attended by First Lady Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa, Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Hon. Torerai Moyo said the Ministry will work with several Government departments to overhaul the regulation, monitoring and enforcement of learner transport nationwide.

The announcement comes after a horrific commuter omnibus fire accident on June 10, which is now revealed was carrying 32 learners from the initially announced 25, from Matongo Primary School, Senga Primary School, Stanley Primary School and Wendy's ECD Centre.

 The fire is believed was caused by Jerry can with fuel being transported inside the vehicle.

Seven learners died from severe burns while 25 others survived, most with minor physical injuries, although Government says psychological support will continue for the survivors.

"The safety of our learners is not negotiable," Minister Moyo declared,
"Every child has the right to travel to and from school in a safe, secure and properly regulated environment.

"As Government, we owe it to the memory of the young lives we have lost to ensure that meaningful reforms emerge from this tragedy," he said.

The departed learners were identified as Alisha Loyo, Tambo, Peter, Kith Makarange, Anotida Mawere, Faith Jangara and Junior Albert Muchenamakumbo.

Minister Moyo said Government would implement enhanced monitoring of vehicles transporting school children through a Whole-of-Government Approach involving the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, local authorities and other relevant agencies.

Among the measures to be introduced are stricter enforcement of certificates of fitness, verification of insurance compliance, routine vehicle inspections, stronger action against overloading and tougher oversight of operators transporting learners.

Emphasis, Hon. Moyo said, would be placed on preventing vehicles carrying schoolchildren from transporting hazardous substances alongside passengers.

"Particular attention will be given to ensuring that vehicles transporting learners do not carry hazardous goods alongside passengers to avoid exposing innocent lives to danger," he said.

The Ministry also encouraged schools with their own buses to work with parents and communities in developing safer and sustainable transport arrangements to reduce dependence on unsuitable public transport.

Beyond regulatory reforms, Government has expanded psychosocial support for survivors, families and affected schools.
Minister Moyo said psychologists drawn from several provinces had already been deployed to assist learners and communities grappling with the emotional trauma caused by the tragedy.

"We recognise that the emotional and psychological effects of this tragedy may endure.

"We remain committed to providing the psychosocial support necessary for their healing and recovery," he said.

The Minister paid tribute to President Emmerson Mnangagwa for declaring the disaster a national tragedy and approving State-assisted funerals for the victims, describing the intervention as a demonstration of compassionate leadership that had provided comfort to grieving families.

He also thanked First Lady Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa for attending the memorial service as Chief Mourner, saying her presence reflected compassion, servant leadership and solidarity with bereaved families.

Addressing the grieving parents, Minister Moyo said the entire nation stood with them during their darkest hour.

Quoting Psalm 34:18, he reminded mourners: 'The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.'

"As we bid farewell to these beloved learners today," he said, "let us honour their memory by recommitting ourselves to the safety, wellbeing and protection of every child entrusted to our care."

The Gweru inferno has become one of Zimbabwe's deadliest school transport disasters in recent years and has sparked renewed calls for stricter enforcement of road safety regulations governing vehicles transporting children.