The Anglican Diocese of Manicaland Church of the Province of Central Africa (CPCA) has released the names of eight of its members who lost their lives when a Pashonlink bus they were travelling on caught fire and burnt to a shell along the Nyabandza-Gandanzara Road in Rusape on Sunday, June 16.
The bus had 65 members of the Anglican Manicaland Diocese Church on board travelling to their rural homes in Sherukuru in Mutasa District from a pilgrimage at Bernard Mizeki shrine in Marondera, Mashonaland East Province.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, June 18, the Anglican Church said that the deceased persons are:
<ul>
<li>Mbuya Gladys Gumiro: St Theresa’s Church, Bvumba</li>
<li>Mbuya Winnie Chiremba: St Theresa’s Church, Bvumba</li>
<li>Tete Agnes Miti: St Theresa’s Church, Bvumba</li>
<li>Mbuya Annie Miti: St Theresa’s Church, Bvumba</li>
<li>Mbuya Viola Nyambabvu: St John’s Church, Zambe</li>
<li>Bradey Mukwenhe child (6 months old): St Theresa’s Church, Zambe</li>
<li>Mbuya Charity Nyamapfene: St Dennis’ Church, Njerama</li>
<li>Mbuya Margaret Dairo: St Dennis’ Church, Njerama</li>
</ul>
The Manicaland Diocese said a memorial service will be held Thursday, June 20 at St Theresa Bvumba “in memory of the deceased and celebrate their lives and legacies”. It added:
<blockquote>
We also request prayers and thoughts for the survivors of this tragic accident. They need spiritual, psychological, and social support. We thank God that all the survivors including the admitted are recovering well, rumours of the death of a survivor in the hospital are false.
</blockquote>
The church has invited all church denominations, traditional leaders, the business community, and politicians to the memorial service.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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Eight Anglican Pilgrims Killed In Bus Inferno Named

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 <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/dna-tests-for-anglican-pilgrims/">The Herald</a> on Tuesday, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the DNA results will be released in due course. He said:
<blockquote>
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.
</blockquote>
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.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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