Send off parade for four police officers

The Sunday News

The coffins of the four police officers who were killed in a car accident at Esigodini on Saturday last week as they were returning from a soccer match at Barbourfields Stadium.

Richard Muponde, Gwanda Correspondent
A SOMBRE atmosphere engulfed Gwanda Town yesterday when a convoy of four hearses carrying the bodies of four police officers who died in a car accident on Saturday came to the mining town for a send off parade.

The bodies of soccer fans from both Highlanders and Caps United passed through the Gwanda Central Business District to a church service that was held at police headquarters.

The deceased officers, Sergeant Carl Mhaka (33), Constable Edmore Mupinga aged 27, Constable Tawanda Magovanyika (35) and Constable Emmanuel Goncalves had their coffins paraded during a church service that was conducted by the Zimbabwe Republic Police Chaplain Mtengi.

In his send off speech, the Officer Commanding Matabeleland South Province, Senior Assistant Commissioner Learn Ncube expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and said their death was a major blow to the police force.

“I would like to express my sincere condolences to the bereaved family members. As police we are mourning together and at the same time putting everything to the Almighty who always gives us life and at the same time takes it when time comes. It is unfortunate that our roads are no longer safe hence we experience such carnages. I therefore urge all motorists to exercise and respect road regulations at all times. However, these officers have left a huge gap in the police service and I don’t even know how to feel their gaps. Only God knows why it happened this way,” said Snr Asst Comm Ncube.

He also thanked members of the Gwanda community for showing their solidarity in joining police officers during the period of mourning.

The accident which claimed the officers’ lives occurred around 8pm at the 20km peg just before the meandering escapement popularly referred to as “Danger” when the driver of a Toyota Gaia they were travelling in lost control of the vehicle and rammed into a tree. The nine passengers and the driver were coming from Barbourfields Stadium where Highlanders had taken on Caps United in the final of the ZNA Charity Shield. Bosso lost 2-3 after a penalty shoot-out following a nil all stalemate after regulation time. The injured victims are still admitted to the United Bulawayo Hospitals including the driver Constable Nation Mpofu and his wife.