Story by Peter Chivhima
THE Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed the arrest of a kombi driver and conductor in connection with the tragic fire incident that claimed the lives of seven children near Chirandu Business Centre in Gweru earlier this week.
According to a statement issued this Friday by ZRP National Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi, the suspects are 22-year-old Malcolm Elvis Cook, who was driving the omnibus, and 18-year-old conductor Trinity Mudhenge.
The two are facing culpable homicide charges following the incident.
Police investigations established that on June 8, Cook collected schoolchildren from various schools before Mudhenge allegedly boarded the vehicle carrying a jerry can containing approximately nine litres of petrol.
The fuel container was reportedly placed behind the driver’s seat.
While the omnibus was travelling along its route, a fire is said to have broken out in the area where the petrol had been stored, resulting in a devastating blaze that claimed the lives of seven pupils.
The tragedy occurred about 100 metres from Matongo Primary School near Chirandu Business Centre in Gweru.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Nyathi says the identities of the seven victims will only be released after DNA examinations have been completed and identifications made.
