Three school heads from Masvingo Province died in an accident on Thursday morning while travelling to Harare.
According to The Mirror, the three school heads were travelling to Harare to plead to the Social Welfare Department for the release of Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) Funds for their pupils when the accident occurred.
They were all from special schools for physically and mentally children. The learners had not received a cent from the government to run the schools since the third term opened on 4 September.
Two of the heads, Ratidzo Zimcare’s Sabelo Zuvurawa and Margaretha Hugo (Copota) School for the Blind Primary head, Clever Madzokere died on the spot.
The third school head, Tapiwa Madamombe, of Margaretha Hugo Secondary School passed away on Sunday at Harare Hospital.
A fourth headmaster, Stanley Tavonga Feya of Henry Murray School for the Deaf was lucky to escape possible injury or death as he got to the pick-up point late and was left behind.
The vehicle, a Ford Ranger, belonged to Margaretha Hugo Schools and was donated by Leonard Cheshire.
It reportedly overturned several times near Mvuma at around 7:30 AM. It was being driven by Madzokere.
The Mirror reported sources as saying mist covered the road when they reached Fairfields. The vehicle reportedly veered off the road and overturned as Madzokere tried to steer it back onto the road.
Feya confirmed the travel arrangements to The Mirror, saying the four school heads agreed to meet at Wigley House in Masvingo at 6 AM and use the Margetha Hugo vehicle for the trip. He said:
We had agreed to travel to Harare together to meet the Social Welfare department heads to air our concerns.
Schools opened recently and we have not received a cent from Social Welfare which funds our operations.
I was overwhelmed with work and arrived late at Wigley House and found the other three gone.
It is shocking how they died while travelling to create a better environment for their pupils.
Meanwhile, the director of Chosen Generation, an organisation which works with children with disabilities, Vimbai Chase, said they were devastated by the loss. She said:
We had just planned a talent show at Margaretha Hugo School for next week.
It is indeed a sad day for us as we worked closely with the deceased three heads.