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and Nhau families who lost 12 members in acommuter omnibus accident that claimed 19 lives on Saturday

were still battling to come to terms with the tragedy.

The Madanhi family lost eight members while the Nhau family lost four.
Passengers in the kombi were members of the African Apostolic Church on their way to a church conference.
President Mugabe yesterday sent a condolence message to the bereaved families.

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• Two families lose 10 members in horror crash

“This was a horrific accident that should never have happened had all due care and diligence been taken to ensure that the vehicle was roadworthy before it was allowed on the road.
“Road accidents can be avoided but sadly they continue to claim many lives needlessly.

“As it is, the nation has once again been plunged into mourning following the loss of so many innocent lives in a single road accident,” he said.
“The tragedy could not have been more devastating considering the death toll on families who lost more than one member in that accident and also that the majority of the victims came from one suburban area, Hatcliffe.

“On behalf of Government, and indeed, my own behalf, I wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families for the untimely death of their beloved ones and to Bishop Paul Mwazha of the African Apostolic Church for the loss of some members of his church.”

A dark cloud hung over the two families’ houses with the Hatcliffe community grappling to come to terms with the tragic incident, which occurred along the Harare-Concession Road.
All the victims came from Hatcliffe and most of them lived in the same street.

Mr Thomas Madanhi, who was at the family rural home in Headlands at the time of the accident, was at a loss for words.
He lost his brother Jonathan and nephews Stanley and Richard. Richard’s wife and their four children also perished.

“This is the first time in our lives to go through such a torrid time. I received the news while in Headlands and up to now I cannot believe that has happened to me. Mukoma (Jonathan) was taking care of the orphans that we have in the family and as of now I don’t know how I am going to do it,” he said.

“What is more painful is that Jonathan had just visited Richard in the rural areas and coincidentally there was a church conference, which he decided to attend. That is when he met his fate.”
He expressed gratitude to Government, the Hatcliffe community and the African Apostolic Church for their support during the family’s bereavement.
“These groups have made our lives easier as we are managing to feed mourners and hopefully we will use the money we are going to receive from Government for transport as we are going to bury them all at Tanda Communal Lands in Headlands,” he said.

In terms of the Civil Protection Act, Government extended US$375 each to the bereaved families.
Just about three houses from the Madanhis is the Nhaus’ house.

The Nhau family lost Tafadzwa (37), his wife Mercy (32) and their two children Anesu (6) and Panashe (3).
Family spokesperson, Mr Simon Mahovo, said he did not know what to do with the two children left behind by his uncle Tafadzwa.
“It is a difficult situation . . . we have Nyasha, who is in Grade 5 and Sharon in Grade 2 and they both need to be taken care of. We will try our best but I don’t think the situation will be the same without

them (Tafadzwa and Mercy),” he said.
He said the four would be buried in Chihota at a date to be advised.

Meanwhile, Zanu-PF Mashonaland Central provincial chairman, Cde Dickson Mafios, yesterday sent a message of condolence to the families of the victims.
He said members of the apostolic churches were well known for preaching unity and peace in the country.