By Pempho Nkhoma
Grief gripped Kamuzu Stadium on Monday night as the remains of 15 Malawians who died in the May 5 bus accident in Zimbabwe arrived home.
The accident killed 16 people, one Zimbabwean (driver) plus 15 Malawians, including two girls, two boys, five men and six women.
The remains arrived at Kamuzu Stadium, Blantyre, (around 8 Pm) where government held a solemn ceremony before the bodies were transported to their respective homes in Thyolo, Balaka, Mzimba, Mangochi and Mulanje for burial.
Deputy Chief Secretary to Government, Stuart Ligomeka, conveyed condolence message from President Peter Mutharika who is saddened by the huge loss.
“The President is sad that we have lost our people, including very young children that would have helped the country. As a country, we have lost a lot,” he said.
Ligomeka therefore thanked the government of Zimbabwe for the support given since the accident occured towards all concerned.“They have held our hands and respected our loved ones. That is why the bodies of loved ones have not taken very long to get home,” he said.
He announced that the President has given k500,000 to each bereaved family to assist with the funeral ceremony.
Representing the bereaved families, James Gondwe, thanked government for ensuring that the bodies are brought back home.
“We are in deep sorrow for this loss but we thank government for helping to take our relatives home,” he said.
Another accident involving Malawians happened on Thursday, May 7 in Limpopo, killing 8 with 40 injured.
Other officials who attended the event included, Chief Presidential Advisor on Religious Affairs Apostle Timothy Khoviwa, Blantyre City Mayor Isaac Jomo Osman and Blantyre District Commissioner Alex Mdooko.
