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Freeman Razemba Crime Reporter
SEVENTEEN unidentified bodies of Chisumbanje ethanol tanker explosion victims were transferred from Chipinge to Mutare Provincial Hospital mortuary yesterday for DNA profiling expected today. This comes after relatives opted for the move to help them identify their relatives.

At least 24 people were burnt, some beyond recognition, when the ethanol tanker collided with a T35 truck carrying mourners, resulting in an inferno last Wednesday.

The truck was carrying mourners and the body of Clifford Muyambo to his village for burial when the accident occurred.
A team of experts, which is expected to conduct the DNA tests and led by African Institute of Biomedical Science Technology (AiBST) founder Professor Collen Masimirembwa, also arrived in Mutare yesterday morning before proceeding to Chipinge District Hospital mortuary.

Police said the team first assessed the bodies and later instructed the police to ferry them to Mutare.
Acting Manicaland police traffic co-ordinator Chief Inspector Cyprian Mukahanana yesterday confirmed the developments.

“The bodies have arrived here (at Mutare Provincial Hospital) for the DNA profiling which will be conducted tomorrow (today) at 9am,” he said.

The first 11 bodies arrived in two police vehicles at around 2.30pm, while the other six arrived at around 4pm.
Chief Insp Mukahanana said they had made arrangements to ferry about 32 relatives to assist with blood samples for the DNA profiling.
Of the 32 relatives, 26 were in different parts of Chipinge while the other six were in Harare.

“We have made arrangements for them to be picked up so that blood samples would be taken from them in order to conduct the DNA tests,” Chief Insp Mukahanana said.

He said some of the relatives had been provided with accommodation in Chipinge to avoid inconveniences.
Chief Insp Mukahanana said those in Harare would be picked up today.

Manicaland Provincial Minister of State Chris Mushohwe yesterday sent his condolence message to the bereaved families.
“We would like to convey our deepest sympathy to the bereaved families, who lost their loved ones due to this accident,” he said.

“The families of the departed should take comfort in that the people of Manicaland and indeed the entire people of Zimbabwe are with them in this  darkest period of their entire lives.

“We pray that the almighty Lord will console the bereaved families at this time of sorrow. May the souls of our departed dear ones rest in eternal peace.”

Government recently approached AiBST to have the DNA profiling done on the 17 unidentified bodies.
Last Friday, relatives of the 17 asked Government for mass burial after they disagreed on the identities of the bodies, but they changed tack over the weekend after realising there were other methods to help identify their relatives.