DNA Tests For 8 Anglican Pilgrims Burnt Beyond Recognition
Zimbabwean authorities are conducting DNA tests on the remains of eight Anglican Diocese of Manicaland pilgrims who were burnt beyond recognition when a Pashonlink bus they were travelling on caught fire at the 26-kilometre peg along Nyabadza-Gandanza Road on Sunday, 16 June 2024.
The pilgrims were returning from their Bernard Mzeki shrine in Marondera and were travelling to their rural homes in Sherukuru in Mutasa District.
In an interview with The Herald on Tuesday, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the DNA results will be released in due course. He said:
We are still conducting investigations and awaiting DNA tests, of which the process is now underway. We will release the results in due course.
We are also conducting comprehensive investigations and in due course, we will release the charges for the transport owner and driver.
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Comm Nyathi urged church leaders to ensure that they hire buses from reputable companies and to avoid travelling at night when going and coming from gatherings.
He said churches should also ensure they travel with a passenger manifesto with full particulars of members on board.
Reports indicate that the bus, which had 65 passengers on board, experienced several mechanical faults along the way, including a faulty clutch.
On approaching the 26km peg along the road, passengers noticed smoke billowing from the engine and alerted the driver, Ray Donald Mugari (40).
Mugari promptly stopped to investigate the source of the smoke and opened the engine cover inside the bus near the passengers’ door.
Subsequently, a ball of fire came out of the engine and engulfed the whole bus after the driver had opened the engine cover.
The driver and 57 passengers managed to escape from the burning bus through the door and emergency exit windows, while 8 people were trapped inside and were burnt to death.
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