Yolanda Hodzi had a life full of promise.
At just 19 years old, her brilliance is already shining, having achieved a perfect score of nine points in last year’s Ordinary Level exams.
She was not only a gifted learner, but also a young woman full of purpose, with a future full of possibilities. But in a cruel twist of fate, that light went out too soon.
Last weekend, as she was returning home after some extra lessons, Yolanda, who was now performing at the advanced level, became an unwitting victim of neglect.
A balcony collapsed in a dilapidated building in Harare’s central business district, at the intersection of Chinhoyi and Bank Streets, and a mountain of broken concrete buried her dreams and aspirations.
She was not the only victim of this heartbreaking tragedy. Six others were injured, but it was her story that penetrated the city’s conscience, highlighting the horrific condition of some buildings downtown.
The building’s apparent lack of maintenance is suspected to have compromised its structural integrity.
“It was not necessary for her to die,” said Yolanda’s uncle, Mr. Shinjay Chichuni, a family spokesman. He added that his voice was full of sadness and extreme anger.
“Yolanda was a wonderful girl and got nine marks in her Ordinary Level exams. She had ambitious plans for her life, but they were taken away from us.”
He said he will always have fond memories of her infectious laugh, bright smile and unwavering determination to forge her own path.
Her family, like others affected by the incident, are now seeking closure and justice. They long for a solution that will bring some semblance of peace to their shattered lives.
“All we want is justice or at least an admission of guilt on the part of the building owners and the city of Harare,” Mr Chichone said.
“How can such a big city with qualified engineers not inspect buildings to ensure structural integrity? Now, I am waiting for the arrival of the biological parents, who are still in Majungi, so we can pursue this case.
Yolanda, the first child in a family of four, was buried on Wednesday in Hodzi village, Majunge, Hurungwe.
Mr Ceccioni said his family’s grief was compounded by the knowledge that the tragedy could have been prevented.
“My niece’s future has been cut short due to neglect and failure to address the deteriorating condition of buildings in the city.”
Mr. Percy Borini is lucky to be alive, having survived the accident by a hair.
He and his wife narrowly escaped death when the building suddenly collapsed as they were passing by.
He told the Sunday Mail: “I was in the building when it collapsed on us.”
“I jumped into a nearby store, but my wife was trapped under the rubble. We were later able to lift the roof and pull her out.”
They were then transferred to Parirenyatwa Hospital Group along with four others who were also injured.
“One of them had a seriously broken leg and head injuries,” Mr Borini continued.
“We left him in the recovery room with three others who suffered minor injuries.”
He said that although his wife is now in good health, the incident will remain etched in his mind forever.
He was shocked to learn that Yolanda died in the accident.
“It could have been anyone else,” he continued. “This has been very heartbreaking, and may her family find comfort in the Lord during this difficult time.”
Harare City Clerk, Engineer Hosia Chisango, said the building was not owned by the local authority.
He added, “The building that collapsed is a private building and is not owned by the council.”
Tenants in the building, who spoke to the Sunday Mail on condition of anonymity, said the building belonged to a man called Mr Mohamed Ibrahim.
“The building was rented to someone else but was owned by Mr. Ibrahim,” said one of the tenants.
Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said investigations into the incident were continuing.
He added: “The value of the property has not yet been determined.”
He added, “The police are conducting investigations with the relevant authorities, including the National Social Security Authority, to find out the causes of the tragedy.”
Yolanda now settles in the village of Hodzi, under the soil that embraced her dreams.
In her absence, she becomes a beacon urging the city to prioritize safety and ensure that every sidewalk becomes a path to a brighter future, not death. Sunday mail
