Warren Park accident victims buried

By Edwin Mwase

HARARE – A sombre atmosphere engulfed Harare’s Warren Park suburb when the bodies of a woman and her two children who were knocked down by a car while on their way home from the 33rd Independence Day celebrations made one last lap of honour before being finally laid to rest yesterday.

Simbisai Mumango (26) and her children — Rumbidzai (6) and Nyasha (18 months) — were given a heroes’ send off as scores of people lined up the streets to bid farewell to the patriotic trio whose death touched President Mugabe.

Residents of Warren Park paid their respects through song and dance. The mourners, who included politicians, church leaders and neighbours, were unanimous in lauding the late Ms Mumango and her two children as patriotic children of the soil.

In his address at the funeral before the bodies were laid to rest at Warren Hills Cemetery the Minister of Media, Information and Publicity Webster Shamu disclosed that the death of Ms Mumango and her children nearly brought President Mugabe to tears.

“He (President Mugabe) nearly broke down in tears when he heard about the devastating news and personally offered to speak to the bereaved family himself.

“It’s a mark of true statesmanship when a person with such a high social standing comes down to be with the people during their hour of bereavement,” he said.

Shamu said it was heartening to note that the trio met their fate when they had just celebrated a very significant day in the country’s history.

“She had taken along her young children to celebrate the national day, so that she could bequeath to them the legacy of our struggle for independence. Unfortunately, they all perished as they came from the Independence Day celebrations.

“However, we draw solace from the fact that the nation was blessed to have such a patriotic woman,” he said.

Minister Shamu proposed that Westwood Road, along which the trio were knocked down, be named after Ms Mumango.

“We will be lobbying the President and the city fathers to have the roads which they last used named after them. What does Westwood mean? No one knows. So we might as well call the road Simbisai in honour of this patriotic woman,” he said.

Brother to the late Ms Mumango, Mazvita, said he was saddened by the events that claimed the three young lives but was quick to add that their family drew strength from the outpouring support that came from President Mugabe and Zimbabweans at large.

“The support which we have received from President Mugabe and all Zimbabweans brings us comfort,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Zanu PF Harare provincial leadership has undertaken to pay the families rates and rents until the end of the year as well as fund a planned memorial service and tombstone unveiling ceremony.