Nine people died last week when a bus carrying pilgrims home from the annual Bernard Mizeki festival in Marondera caught fire. On the evening of 16 June 2024 the bus carrying 62 people caught fire. “Along with other diocesan leaders, we went to the scene of the accident,” the Rt. Rev Erick Ruwona of the Diocese of Manicaland said in a statement. While “54 pilgrims survived the fire… we are deeply saddened to confirm that eight pilgrims are still missing, and we fear they perished in the blaze,” he said. A ninth person has subsequently died from thei8r burns.
Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi said some of the dead were “burned beyond recognition. … We have not been able to identify the deceased individuals; DNA analysis will be required. Two people are also missing,” he said.
Felix Mhona, the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development, told reporters “the bus operator openly admitted that the bus did not have a fitness certificate, meaning it was not roadworthy.”
“A bus without a fitness certificate should not be used to transport people, and the police will arrest the bus owner and driver as part of the investigation,” he said, adding the company has lost its license and its busses banned from the road.
The diocese released a statement saying it was working with “the prosecutor’s office, police, and emergency services, to establish all details of the accident and provide support and assistance to the affected families.”
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in this tragic event. Our prayers and thoughts are with them during this difficult time.”
Approximately 15,000 pilgrims from across Zimbabwe attended the 14-16 June commemoration held in homor of Bernard Mizeki, a nineteenth century missionary to the Shona people who was martyred in 1896.
