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Charmaine Brown Herald Reporter
Hundreds of people from all walks of life thronged Paradise Cemetery in Marondera yesterday to bid farewell to a pupil who died after a dormitory they were sleeping in was hit by a landslide and collapsed during Cyclone Idai at St Charles Lwanga in Chimanimani last Friday.

Munashe Jena (13) of number 45 Arcacia Road in Paradise Park, Marondera, was one of the two pupils who died at St Charles Lwanga in Chimanimani, Manicaland when a massive landslide that came about as a result of rainy storms caused by Cyclone Idai hit the Eastern parts of the country.

Several Government officials attended the burial, including Mashonaland East acting provincial administrator Mr Clemence Masawi who said:

“All I can say is that we have lost. The loss is not confined to the Jena family, but to the nation as a whole,” he said.

“Munashe’s potential was not going to benefit his family only, but the whole country.”

The family representative, Mr Martin Mauye, said he was grateful to everyone who contributed to bring Munashe’s body home.

“On behalf of the Jena family, I would like thank everyone who contributed to rescue the pupils and to bring Munashe’s body home. It was not an easy journey. Our only wish was a decent burial for him and it has been fulfilled,” he said.

Marondera Mayor Mr Chengetai Murowa also said Munashe’s death was a great loss for the Marondera community and said council offered a free grave for Munashe’s burial and a water bowser.

The Public Service Commission also provided transport which ferried mourners to and from the cemetery.

Meanwhile, the stranded St Charles Lwanga pupils who were rescued by the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) were yesterday reunited with their families.

The pupils, who were in the company of their teachers, were dropped by buses at the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Harare yesterday.

This was followed by a prayer service for the pupils and members of staff that included teachers and the headmaster of the school.

Parents and guardians wailed uncontrollably while some ululated when they saw their children disembarking from the buses. Primary and Secondary Education Minister Professor Paul Mavima attended the church service.

He commended the pupils and their teachers for their act of bravery which they exhibited before they were rescued.

He said it was through team work that saw the pupils and staff members escaping the danger they were facing.

At least a total of 104 people have been confirmed dead.