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Michael Magoronga, [email protected]

THE Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Cde Torerai Moyo, yesterday visited Munyati Zesa Primary School to convey his condolences following the death of five teachers in an accident early this month.

The tragic road traffic accident, which left the whole community shaken, occurred on 15 March when the teachers were travelling from school to Kwekwe.

Tsungirirai Joe (57), Mitchell Maticha (22), Sithabile Nthando Moyo (33), Everjoice Ngwenya (38) and Lesly Mugwidi all died on the spot when their Toyota Aqua collided head-on with a truck at Sherwood Turnoff.

Distress was written all over the faces of teachers, students and staffers when the minister arrived to pay his condolences.

“I am deeply saddened to learn about the tragic incident that occurred resulting in the untimely loss of dedicated female teachers. On behalf of my ministry and the entire Government, please accept my heartfelt condolences and sympathies,” said Minister Moyo. 

“This unfortunate accident has not only caused immense grief and shock within the school community but the entire nation.”

He said the education sector had been robbed of dedicated staffers who will not be easy to replace.

“The loss of these remarkable educators who played a crucial role in shaping young minds is an irreplaceable void that will be deeply felt by students, colleagues and their families,” said the minister. 

“Their absence will be felt not only in the classrooms but throughout the school premises where their vibrant personalities and nurturing spirits created an atmosphere of warmth and encouragement.”

Minister Moyo said the Government will do all it can to ensure that the bereaved families are well taken care of while extending assistance to Munyati Primary School to support the grieving students, teachers and staff members. 

“We will work closely with the school to ensure that the bereaved families get assistance since they were bread winners,” he said.

“My ministry will ensure that counselling services, emotional support and any other resources required to help cope with the profound grief are available. Be rest assured that the Government stands with the school, families and its community during this period of grief,” said the minister.

Kwekwe District schools inspector, Mr Herbert Maziriri, said counselling services have since started at the school.

“We have since sent teams from our ministry together with the church, community leaders and other organisations to offer social-psycho support to the students and teachers and the community at large,” he said. 

“We will continue with these services until the situation normalises.”

The late teachers were all given State-assisted burials.