Beyond the flames, How compassion is healing a grieving Gweru surbub

By Breanna Matendera

Leading property development Gweru based firm, River Valley Properties has stepped in to bolster Government relief efforts for the families of seven school children who tragically lost their lives in a commuter omnibus fire in Gweru’s Senga suburb last week.

The assistance comes after President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared the incident a national disaster, a move that paved the way for state-assisted burials and cross-sector support for the grieving families.

Yesterday, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in the Midlands Province Honourable Owen (Mudha) Ncube, represented by Gweru Assistant District Development Coordinator Rudo Chimanyiwa formally handed over relief packages donated by River Valley Properties to the seven bereaved families.

The seven learners, from Matongo and Senga Primary Schools, perished last Wednesday afternoon when the vehicle they were traveling in after school was suddenly engulfed in uncontrollable flames.

Speaking during the handover of groceries, food supplies, and fuel, Mrs. Chimanyiwa emphasized that the intervention was a result of a strong partnership between the state and the private sector.

“The Minister has sent me to assure you that the President Mnangagwa’s Government stands with you in this very difficult moment,” she said. “Several stakeholders have pledged or already provided support; that is why here with me are representatives of the River Valley Group, one of our key corporate partners here in the Midlands Province.”

River Valley Group CEO, Amb Prof Smelly Dube, expressed deep personal heartbreak over the incident, noting her close ties to the Senga community through her philantropic work in the Province.

“I am a neighbor to this school as I live in this constituency, in the Kopje area,” Amb Dube said. “I was devastated when I heard about this unfortunate incident. I could not even watch the videos of the grieving mothers because they were too disturbing. We want to be part of the response by assisting the affected families and the school until the burials are concluded and beyond.”

Amb Dube added that the company is working closely with the school administrations to ensure logistical support reaches every affected household. She expressed hope that the victims would be positively identified swiftly to allow for dignified burials.

Following the formal handover, Mrs. Chimanyiwa and the River Valley team visited each of the seven homes where mourners are gathered to offer direct condolences.

The gesture was met with profound gratitude from the parents. One father, who lost his son in the inferno, spoke of the comfort the support provided.

“The pain of losing a child is unbearable, but through your emotional and material support, we see light in this hour of darkness,” he said. “It warms our hearts and comforts us that we are not alone in this.”

The donations of fuel and food provisions are expected to complement Government efforts to ease the logistical burden on the families as they finalize funeral arrangements for the young learners.