Zimbabwe Declares Gweru Kombi Fire National Disaster

Harare - His Excellency, President Dr. Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared the tragic Senga school run commuter omnibus fire a National Disaster to allow the Government to mobilise resources and provide comprehensive assistance to the bereaved families.

The state directive comes as distraught parents gathered at Gweru Central Police Station to undergo DNA testing and identification procedures, as the remains of the seven primary school children who perished in the inferno were burnt beyond recognition.

Eleven other learners, of the 17 that escaped the inferno, and the driver of the Toyota Hiace remain hospitalised at Gweru Provincial Hospital following the horrific explosion on Wednesday afternoon.

In a statement issued on Wednesday evening by the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr. Martin Rushwaya, President Mnangagwa expressed his heartfelt condolences to the affected families and voiced profound concern over the rising trend of road traffic accidents.

"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," the statement read.

"His Excellency the President has again 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 President wishes the hospitalised pupils a speedy recovery," the statement said.

Compounding the grief, Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Dr. Torerayi Moyo, expressed heartbreak over the loss, directly attributing the catastrophe to driver negligence.

"I am deeply pained by the tragic deaths of seven infant learners who were learning at Matongo Primary School in Gweru," Dr Moyo said.

"What pains me the most is the fact that these were innocent and have been robbed of their lives and their future due to negligence of the driver.

"All their aspirations and dreams have been shattered. My deepest condolences go to the bereaved families.

"May the Almighty comfort you at this very difficult time. May you find strength in the Lord. I wish a speedy recovery to learners who are in hospital," he said.

First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa also joined the nation in mourning, lamenting both the Senga disaster and a concurrent tragedy in Harare where three children died in an unsecured sewer pond.

"I am deeply saddened by two heartbreaking tragedies that have claimed innocent lives.

"My heart is shattered by the cruel loss of seven primary school learners in the devastating kombi fire incident in Senga, Gweru," the First Lady said.

"It is painful beyond words to imagine the dreams, laughter and bright futures that were so tragically cut short.

"I am equally saddened by the cruel loss of lives in Budiriro, Harare, where three bodies were recovered from an unsecured sewer pond reportedly left open for months.

"No family should have to endure such a painful loss. I share in the grief of all the bereaved families and offer my heartfelt condolences.

"I also wish a speedy recovery to those who were injured. May God grant comfort and strength to everyone affected, and may the souls of the departed rest in eternal peace," the First Lady said.

Meanwhile, a sombre atmosphere engulfed Gweru Central Police Station as processing of the deceased commenced.

Pathologists and forensic experts have initiated DNA profiling to help grief-stricken families identify their children before burial arrangements can be certified by the state.

Police sources said due to the intensity of the petrol-fueled blaze, scientific verification remains the only conclusive method to identify the victims.