TEARS FOR ALICE
Congolese community mourns crash victim
THE death of Moonah woman Alice Mwarabu has left a huge hole in the lives of those who loved her. Ms Mwarabu, 33, died after a two-vehicle crash on Hob- art’s Domain Highway. The married mother of one was driving home from a night shift when tragedy struck.
Relatives and friends gathered yesterday at the family’s home to remember and celebrate her life.
“Nobody can ever replace Alice,” relative Peter Songa said.
“She was a mother, a sister, a friend, a carer and a guide to those who needed guidance.”
Mr Songa said he always received a warm welcome and a plate of food when he visited Ms Mwarabu.
“You never leave her house starving,” he said.
“There are no words to describe how Alice was ... she’s irreplaceable.”
Congolese Association of Hobart spokesman Lopes Sezabo said Ms Mwarabu’s death was a great shock.
“It’s a big tragedy for us as a community,” Mr Sezabo said.
“It’s so sad for us to lose her suddenly. The family members are in very big shock.”
He said Ms Mwarabu was a humble and beautiful person and a very good cook.
Mr Sezabo said the community was rallying around Ms Mwarabu’s family.
A GoGetFunding page has so far raised $1600 to support the family.
Ms Mwarabu had lived in Tasmania for several years, and she and her husband had one daughter.
This week was supposed to be a happy time for the family — Ms Mwarabu’s brother was to be married in Melbourne on Saturday.
But the wedding has been postponed and relatives from Melbourne have instead made the trip to Hobart.
Mr Sezabo said Ms Mwarabu, a carer, was driving home from a night shift when the crash happened.
Police said investigations suggested Ms Mwarabu’s car had veered to the incorrect side of the road and into the path of a truck when she was negotiating an open curve near the junction with Upper Domain Rd about 7.10am on Wednesday. The 51-year-old driver of the truck involved in the crash was not injured but police said he was badly shaken.