Zapu statement on arrival of mine accident victims

PRESS STATEMENT from the Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU)

The nation has been following the sad developments regarding the deaths of young Zimbabweans in a mining disaster in South Africa. Today some of the bodies of the deceased are on their way to Zimbabwe and will be taken to various parts of the country on Saturday morning.

This contingent includes two (2) bodies that will remain at Kings and Queens funeral parlour, one (1) body that will be going for burial in Tsholotsho, and eighteen (18) that will be going on to Nkayi in Matebeleland North.

More details are expected as arrangements are made to complete the transportation of the deceased.

The ZAPU members in America, led by Mr. Edwin Moyo, have been in the forefront of raising assistance for the repatriation and ultimate burial of the young people who perished in the disaster.

ZAPU members in South Africa have likewise been closely involved in both material assistance to the bereaved families and in facilitating the handling of all formalities. In this respect it should be put on record that Zimbabwe’s Consulate in South Africa has ensured the documentation of the bodies so that they can be brought back home for burial.

As a party we have refrained at all levels from politicizing the deaths of our young people, to respect the memory of these young people regardless of their political affiliations. We are also sensitive to the grief of family, friends and communities of those who died in the tragic circumstances.

It is sad that there are already signs of the usual jostling for the spotlight by various political players. Without singling anyone, we hereby condemn the vulture syndrome, whereby political entities seek attention and publicity and pretend to cry more than the bereaved. It would have been helpful if all Zimbabweans rallied to the plight of the families instead of waiting for the microphones and the convoys to arrive.

There are also reports that some leaders are taking the opportunity to pontificate about the dangers of illegal mining and border-jumping, as if those going to South Africa would brave known dangers if they had alternatives back home.

These days it is no longer news that factories and other productive enterprises in Bulawayo and its hinterland have been closing down at a phenomenal rate.

The least that people in Government can do is to let the sleeping dogs lie, because it is highly provocative to imply that young people are leaving opportunities in their own country to do dangerous and illegal work across our borders.

There was a time when “migrants” came to this country and Bulawayo in particular to work, but this is now a distant memory. It is instructive that many of the dead come from areas we have singled out as victims of under-development: the Matebeleland and Midlands provinces.

ZAPU does not condone illegal migration of young people and their involvement in illegal mining and other unauthorized work.

Our members who have been at the forefront of bringing the deceased young people have been at pains to say this, and we wish to thank South Africa for its facilitation in the repatriation of our accident victims.

Although we shall still say so at the right forums, we wish to convey our condolences to the families of the dead, and to assure them that we shall be available in both good and bad times.