Kwekwe was filled with grief yesterday as mourners paid their respects to five teachers at Munyati Primary School, who lost their lives in a tragic road accident on Friday afternoon.
The teachers were traveling in a Toyota Aqua when they collided head-on with a Homan Sino truck near Kwekwe, on the Harare-Bulawayo highway.
There were also two passengers in the truck.
Police identified the victims as Tsonegirai Go (57) from Munyati, Mitchell Matisha (22) from Kwekwe, Sithabel Nuthando Moyo (33) from Kwekwe, Evergus Ngwenya (38) from Kwekwe, and Leslie Mogwedi (29) from Kwekwe.
A memorial ceremony was held before their bodies were transported to their areas for burial.
Midlands Regional Affairs and Delegation Minister, CD Owen Ncube, attended the memorial ceremony and expressed sadness over the incident that deprived families of their breadwinners.
He said the government would provide a state-assisted funeral for the teachers.
“On behalf of President Mnangagwa, First Lady Dr Auxilia Mnangagwa and indeed the entire Midlands Province, I would like to convey my sincere condolences to the families of the deceased at this very difficult moment.
He said: “No one can become a doctor or a minister without learning from a teacher, and we salute them.”
Minister Ncube urged all drivers to be extremely careful on the roads.
“Life is sacred, hence the need to be diligent while driving. Therefore, we mourn with the families of the deceased because this is a loss, not only for you, but for Zimbabwe because the deceased were serving in the civil service.”
Speaker after speaker described the teachers as a delightful crew who are experienced in their work and will be greatly missed in the education sector.
