25 February 2022
Vimbayi Mahachi
Four of First Lady’s bodyguards were involved in a horrific fatal accident in Nyanga yesterday morning.
The accident occurred at a blackspot along Nyanga-Ruwangwe Road.
The accident was confirmed by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr. Misheck Sibanda. He said the accident occurred early morning of yesterday when the staffers were on their way to an event where the first lady Auxillia Mnangagwa was due to handover donations to 20 households in Ruwangwe.
First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa has also released a statement if condolences to the families of the deceased.
“The tragic accident which claimed the lives of my four staff members is a big loss to my Office and Nation as a whole.”
“The staff members whose commitment to duty was exeptional, were part of a dedicated team which played a pivotal role in assisting my Office to realize its goals,” she said.
The First Lady continued saying that as a mother she is deeply sadden by the loss of her children.
“I would like to express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I pray that they will find comfort in the knowledge that their loved ones passed away while serving the nation.”
The OPC also released a statement.
“The Office of the President and Cabinet regrets to announce the death of four of its Staff Members from a road accident which occurred early this (yesterday) morning at a black spot near Regina Coeli Mission along the Nyanga-Ruwangwe Road. The deceased were part of an Office Team delivering goods for the less privileged in Ruwangwe Community under the First Lady’s Community Assistance and Empowerment Programme when a State Residences truck overturned. The four died on the accident scene, with another two officers who have since been evacuated to Regina Coeli Mission Hospital, sustaining serious injuries. The Office will, in due course, provide more details on this tragic accident which is already being investigated by the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
The First Lady who was scheduled to interact with about 20 households in Ruwangwe today, was still in Nyanga Town at the time of the accident. The Office wishes to express its deepest, heartfelt condolences to families of the deceased who are being reached over the incident. In the same vein, the Office wishes the two injured Officers speedy recovery. Measures are underway to ensure the injured Officers secure best care.”