News / National
Dembare accident survivor speaks out
13 Jun 2016 at 06:39hrs | Views
ONE of the survivors of the accident that claimed the lives of seven Dynamos supporters, Cain Nyambuya, says he will be forever be traumatised by the tragic scenes he witnessed on Saturday morning.Nyambuya, who is the chairman of the Dynamos Supporters Harare Chapter, was one of the survivors when the mini bus they were travelling in burst a rear tyre and rolled three times before landing on its side near Battlefields.
There were 24 passengers in the bus. The supporters were travelling to Gweru to cheer on their team in a Premier Soccer League match against Chapungu. Nyambuya escaped with no injuries, but was still in a state of disbelief yesterday as he narrated the traumatic scenes that he witnessed.
"There are some situations that you can really do nothing about. Some of the things can't be explained, like what happened on that day. "It was traumatic to see people you were talking with just a few moments ago lying there with crushed skulls and brain tissues scattered all over the place. It was an ugly sight. It was bad to try and imagine that we were talking to those people a few moments earlier.
"Six people died on the spot and the seventh died in our sight. We tried all that we could but the paramedics arrived an hour-and-a-half after the accident, I think, and it was too late to save him.
"But I want to thank God I had the strength to help some of my colleagues whom I could assist. We made sure that they got all the necessary care they needed before the ambulances arrived. "With the help of other supporters we also ensured that the injured were ferried to the hospital and that all their valuables were safe.
"Of course, I was in pain but as a leader I had to absorb everything, I pushed myself to help my colleagues," said Nyambuya. Nyambuya, a former soldier, was one of the three people who were seated on the front seat with Mollen Macheme, who also survived the accident with injuries. As fate would have it, one of the deceased Spencer Gwasira last Monday appeared to have had a premonition of the tragedy that lay head.
Gwasira wrote on his Facebook post: "Muchengete vana gen'a rangu muchengete vana avo . . . zvatanga zvekare paAscot apooooo." Of the seven who died, four were men and three were women. Police spokesperson Paul Nyati said they will release all the names of the deceased today.
The injured passengers were taken to Kadoma and Kwekwe general hospitals and were later transferred to Parirenyatwa and Harare hospitals courtesy of National Football Association of Zimbabwe president Philip Chiyangwa who forked out in excess of $4 000 in ambulance bills.
Chiyangwa and Dynamos leaders Bernard Marriot and Kenny Mubaiwa reacted fast to the news of the accident and visited the injured supporters while the DeMbare players and technical team also spared some time on their way from Gweru. Dynamos won the match against Chapungu 2-1 courtesy of goals from Masimba Mambare and rookie forward King Nasama who cancelled out Hillary Mugoniwa's early goal.
Mubaiwa and Chiyangwa also visited the seven injured who were still admitted at Parirenyatwa Hospital and three who were at Harare Hospital. Some of the casualties were treated and discharged yesterday.
DeMbare supporters hired three buses and thronged the hospitals as well while the others were dispatched to funerals scattered across the city where they consoled the bereaved families. Mubaiwa said Dynamos will assist the bereaved families and was grateful for the assistance they have received from their colleagues.
"We are still in a state of shock. Our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. We are going to assist in every way possible. We also wish a speedy recovery to the injured, we are with them during this time of agony.
"We would want to thank all those who have helped us. CAPS United have been there for us all the way. Farai Jere, Cuthbert Chitima and Lewis Uriri have showed so much concern and they have been phoning time and again offering to help at every turn.
"They have shown that football is not only about the rivalries on the pitch, but it also builds friendships and true relations. We are grateful for that. "NAFAZ president Chiyangwa has also helped in a great way. He hired ambulances to transfer the injured people to Harare. We have also helped as a club in our own way and we are assisting the families to bring the bodies to Harare," said Mubaiwa.
Condolence messages continued to stream in yesterday with Dynamos legend Memory Mucherahowa, who is now based in the United Kingdom, also joining the Glamour Boys in their dark hour. "Sad news on tragic passing away of our fellow supporters. Words cannot describe the sorrow and pain we feel as DeMbare family.
"Let's unite and support the bereaved families and I call upon our executive to lead us in comforting the families of our departed fellow supporters. DeMbare is more than just a football entity. United in happiness and grief," said Mucherahowa.
Premier Soccer League chairman Peter Dube also released a message expressing the league's sorrow on the death of the supporters.
"The Premier Soccer League has learnt with deep sadness of the death of Dynamos FC supporters who perished in an accident on their way to Ascot Stadium in Gweru on Saturday.
"We mourn the lives of these football fans whose support and dedication to the game will forever be remembered. This is a great loss not just to Dynamos FC but the entire nation of Zimbabwe.
"We extend our heartfelt condolences to their families and loved ones and the entire football fraternity in this difficult time of mourning. May their souls rest in eternal peace," said Dube.
Dynamos goalkeeper Tatenda Mukuruva, who is away with the national team for the COSAFA tournament said: "Still can't believe this! My condolences to all the families of the Dynamos fans who perished yesterday. May their souls rest in peace . . . speedy recovery to all those who were injured."
The CAPS United Supporters' Association also joined their football rivals in mourning the departed colleagues.
The association's National Information and Publicity Secretary Stanley Pindiriri yesterday said Makepekepe were saddened to learn of the accident.
"We have received with shock the death of lovers of the game yesterday on their way to Gweru for a Chapungu and Dynamos match at Ascot Stadium.
"As an Association we are greatly perturbed by this untimely loss of the gallant football faithful.
"The football fraternity has lost the loyal 12th man in the game who had dedicated their precious time to render their support to their club, Dynamos.
"We extend our sincere condolences to their families, Dynamos Football Club, the Dynamos Supporters Association as well as the entire football family. May God comfort you in these trying times. God is always faithful to us all, he will wipe our tears."
There were 24 passengers in the bus. The supporters were travelling to Gweru to cheer on their team in a Premier Soccer League match against Chapungu. Nyambuya escaped with no injuries, but was still in a state of disbelief yesterday as he narrated the traumatic scenes that he witnessed.
"There are some situations that you can really do nothing about. Some of the things can't be explained, like what happened on that day. "It was traumatic to see people you were talking with just a few moments ago lying there with crushed skulls and brain tissues scattered all over the place. It was an ugly sight. It was bad to try and imagine that we were talking to those people a few moments earlier.
"Six people died on the spot and the seventh died in our sight. We tried all that we could but the paramedics arrived an hour-and-a-half after the accident, I think, and it was too late to save him.
"But I want to thank God I had the strength to help some of my colleagues whom I could assist. We made sure that they got all the necessary care they needed before the ambulances arrived. "With the help of other supporters we also ensured that the injured were ferried to the hospital and that all their valuables were safe.
"Of course, I was in pain but as a leader I had to absorb everything, I pushed myself to help my colleagues," said Nyambuya. Nyambuya, a former soldier, was one of the three people who were seated on the front seat with Mollen Macheme, who also survived the accident with injuries. As fate would have it, one of the deceased Spencer Gwasira last Monday appeared to have had a premonition of the tragedy that lay head.
Gwasira wrote on his Facebook post: "Muchengete vana gen'a rangu muchengete vana avo . . . zvatanga zvekare paAscot apooooo." Of the seven who died, four were men and three were women. Police spokesperson Paul Nyati said they will release all the names of the deceased today.
The injured passengers were taken to Kadoma and Kwekwe general hospitals and were later transferred to Parirenyatwa and Harare hospitals courtesy of National Football Association of Zimbabwe president Philip Chiyangwa who forked out in excess of $4 000 in ambulance bills.
Chiyangwa and Dynamos leaders Bernard Marriot and Kenny Mubaiwa reacted fast to the news of the accident and visited the injured supporters while the DeMbare players and technical team also spared some time on their way from Gweru. Dynamos won the match against Chapungu 2-1 courtesy of goals from Masimba Mambare and rookie forward King Nasama who cancelled out Hillary Mugoniwa's early goal.
Mubaiwa and Chiyangwa also visited the seven injured who were still admitted at Parirenyatwa Hospital and three who were at Harare Hospital. Some of the casualties were treated and discharged yesterday.
DeMbare supporters hired three buses and thronged the hospitals as well while the others were dispatched to funerals scattered across the city where they consoled the bereaved families. Mubaiwa said Dynamos will assist the bereaved families and was grateful for the assistance they have received from their colleagues.
"We are still in a state of shock. Our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. We are going to assist in every way possible. We also wish a speedy recovery to the injured, we are with them during this time of agony.
"We would want to thank all those who have helped us. CAPS United have been there for us all the way. Farai Jere, Cuthbert Chitima and Lewis Uriri have showed so much concern and they have been phoning time and again offering to help at every turn.
"They have shown that football is not only about the rivalries on the pitch, but it also builds friendships and true relations. We are grateful for that. "NAFAZ president Chiyangwa has also helped in a great way. He hired ambulances to transfer the injured people to Harare. We have also helped as a club in our own way and we are assisting the families to bring the bodies to Harare," said Mubaiwa.
Condolence messages continued to stream in yesterday with Dynamos legend Memory Mucherahowa, who is now based in the United Kingdom, also joining the Glamour Boys in their dark hour. "Sad news on tragic passing away of our fellow supporters. Words cannot describe the sorrow and pain we feel as DeMbare family.
"Let's unite and support the bereaved families and I call upon our executive to lead us in comforting the families of our departed fellow supporters. DeMbare is more than just a football entity. United in happiness and grief," said Mucherahowa.
Premier Soccer League chairman Peter Dube also released a message expressing the league's sorrow on the death of the supporters.
"The Premier Soccer League has learnt with deep sadness of the death of Dynamos FC supporters who perished in an accident on their way to Ascot Stadium in Gweru on Saturday.
"We mourn the lives of these football fans whose support and dedication to the game will forever be remembered. This is a great loss not just to Dynamos FC but the entire nation of Zimbabwe.
"We extend our heartfelt condolences to their families and loved ones and the entire football fraternity in this difficult time of mourning. May their souls rest in eternal peace," said Dube.
Dynamos goalkeeper Tatenda Mukuruva, who is away with the national team for the COSAFA tournament said: "Still can't believe this! My condolences to all the families of the Dynamos fans who perished yesterday. May their souls rest in peace . . . speedy recovery to all those who were injured."
The CAPS United Supporters' Association also joined their football rivals in mourning the departed colleagues.
The association's National Information and Publicity Secretary Stanley Pindiriri yesterday said Makepekepe were saddened to learn of the accident.
"We have received with shock the death of lovers of the game yesterday on their way to Gweru for a Chapungu and Dynamos match at Ascot Stadium.
"As an Association we are greatly perturbed by this untimely loss of the gallant football faithful.
"The football fraternity has lost the loyal 12th man in the game who had dedicated their precious time to render their support to their club, Dynamos.
"We extend our sincere condolences to their families, Dynamos Football Club, the Dynamos Supporters Association as well as the entire football family. May God comfort you in these trying times. God is always faithful to us all, he will wipe our tears."
Source - the herald
