News / Local
MDC, Zanu-PF set political differences aside to bury inferno victims
27 Jul 2013 at 05:36hrs | Views
FIVE members of the same family, who were killed when their house caught fire in Pumula South in Bulawayo on Tuesday, were buried yesterday at West Park Cemetery in a moving ceremony.
The tragedy united political rivals, Zanu-PF and MDC who also turned up to mourn with the family.
Addressing scores of mourners, Zanu-PF Central Committee member Molly Mpofu urged people to put political differences aside, saying the spirit of togetherness must prevail.
"We are gathered here to bid farewell to the family members that died under unfortunate circumstances. In such times, it is important that people put political party differences aside and unite to achieve the goal of assisting the bereaved.
"We are here as Zanu-PF on behalf of President Mugabe and he is also mourning with you as well," said Cde Mpofu.
Zanu-PF candidate for Pumula National Assembly Constituency Godfrey Malaba donated four coffins, 50kgs of rice, blankets, plates and cups while MDC Pumula South candidate for ward 27 Mr Edwin Ndlovu donated groceries worth $200.
The body of the eldest child was found at the window where she seemed to have been trying to escape.
Neighbours used stones to knock the frames open because they had been "welded" shut by the heat.
All documents, including birth certificates for most of the family, educational certificates and National Identity cards were burnt in the inferno that was caused by a candle that had been left burning when family members fell asleep.
The family had been gathered at a funeral wake at house Number 24381 after burying the mother of one of the victims on Sunday, when tragedy struck.
The tragedy united political rivals, Zanu-PF and MDC who also turned up to mourn with the family.
Addressing scores of mourners, Zanu-PF Central Committee member Molly Mpofu urged people to put political differences aside, saying the spirit of togetherness must prevail.
"We are gathered here to bid farewell to the family members that died under unfortunate circumstances. In such times, it is important that people put political party differences aside and unite to achieve the goal of assisting the bereaved.
"We are here as Zanu-PF on behalf of President Mugabe and he is also mourning with you as well," said Cde Mpofu.
Zanu-PF candidate for Pumula National Assembly Constituency Godfrey Malaba donated four coffins, 50kgs of rice, blankets, plates and cups while MDC Pumula South candidate for ward 27 Mr Edwin Ndlovu donated groceries worth $200.
The body of the eldest child was found at the window where she seemed to have been trying to escape.
Neighbours used stones to knock the frames open because they had been "welded" shut by the heat.
All documents, including birth certificates for most of the family, educational certificates and National Identity cards were burnt in the inferno that was caused by a candle that had been left burning when family members fell asleep.
The family had been gathered at a funeral wake at house Number 24381 after burying the mother of one of the victims on Sunday, when tragedy struck.
Source - chronicle
