The Tauyanago family from Chikombedzi lost three of their
kinsman in a road traffic accident between Beitbridge Border Post and Musina on
Sunday evening.
The family was plunged into mourning after Morris Tauyanago
(62) and his daughter in law Shelter Muzvidziwa (33) and grandchild Ngakudzwe
(one-year-old) were killed when a Toyota Fortuner they had been traveling in
rammed into the trailer of a haulage truck along the N1 highway.
The truck had just got onto the road and travelling towards
Beitbridge border post while the Toyota Fortuner was heading towards Musina.
To add salt to injury, Mr Tauyanago had just crossed into
South Africa for the first time in his lifetime when tragedy struck.
He was going to visit his children most of whom are based
in South Africa.
The Tauyanagos’ met their demise together with Sharon
Nyathi (26) , Kudzai Chirengende (24), Gilbert Mahonolwa (50) and Winston
Sunday (28) and all had their remains interred yesterday in Chiredzi and Chivi
districts, except Sunday whose remains are pending repatriation.
Morris’s young brother, Honest said he was still in a state
of shock and that he had been left with many questions than answers.
“This is very painful, my brother had just crossed into
South Africa for the first time in his lifetime.
“We are putting everything in God’s hands. At the same time
I want to urge the South Africans to consider putting a traffic circle near the
accident scene which has become a death trap.
“Many people have died in road accidents at the same spot.
I am also a driver and I know how bad that stretch is. This is very painful to
lose a loved one under such circumstances,” he said.
Honest’s Sister Evelyn said she was still at pains to
accept her father’s death.
She said the senior citizen was visiting all his children
based in the neighbouring country when he met his demise. I am heart broken, we have lost our pillar of strength, a
man full of love.
“What really pains me is that he died even before getting to
Musina town, a place he had wished to visit in a long time,” she said.
Another relative, Patson Tauyanago said though the family
had been plunged into mourning he was grateful for the help they got from South
African Authorities and the Zimbabwean Government through its South African
consulate.
He said the efforts by authorities had made the
identification and repatriation process seamless.
“This is just too much for us. I have never dreamt of a day
one would lose his grandfather, aunt and young brother in such a painful
manner.
“However, we have to be strong and move on. At the same time let me commend the South
African and Zimbabweans governments for their assistance. This scenario is very
devastating,” said Patson.
Ms Ngonidzashe Mvura said she had lost a hardworking sister
in Kudzai Chirengende (24).
“It is very disturbing for one to outlive their youngest
siblings. My sister was very hard working and she was a go getter whom we all
believed in.
“As hard as it is we have to put everything in our maker’s
hands. This tragedy wouldn’t have been easier without the help of the Road
accident Fund (South Africa) and the Zimbabwe Embassy stuff. Such a gesture
must be extended to all Zimbabweans,” she said.
Zimbabwe’s Consul-General to South Africa Mrs Melody
Chaurura, who accompanied the bodies from south of the Limpopo to Zimbabwe on
Thursday expressed her heartfelt condolences to the bereaving families.
“This is a very sad moment for the families and our
Government. However we are great full for the support we got from our host
through the Road Accident Fund which made it seamless for the relatives to
repatriate their loved ones and afford them a dignified burial,” said Mrs
Chaurura. H Metro
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