President consoles bereaved families
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa yesterday sent his condolences to the families of two security officers who succumbed to injuries sustained in last Saturday’s terror attack at White City Stadium in Bulawayo.
Government will assist the families by meeting all funeral and burial expenses.
This comes as two people who suffered serious injuries in the attack have been transferred to Harare for specialist medical attention.
In a statement to The Herald, President Mnangagwa said the attack, which injured 49 people, was calculated to cause bloodbath.
“I learnt with a heavy heart of the death yesterday of our two brave security officers who succumbed to injuries sustained following last Saturday’s terror attack at White City Stadium, in Bulawayo.
“This cowardly terrorist attack at a public political meeting was indiscriminate and calculated to achieve a bloodbath which is hard to fathom.
“Above all, it sought to subvert the will of the people of Zimbabwe by attempting to destabilise the ongoing electoral programme which our entire nation wishes to see unfold in an environment of perfect peace, all for a free, fair and credible electoral outcome which we have pledged to ourselves and to the rest of the world.”
President Mnangagwa urged Zimbabweans to support the bereaved families.
“Today Zimbabwe mourns this needless loss of her two brave sons whose lives have been lost in the line of duty.
“We mourn with their heartbroken families who now have to bury their otherwise fit beloved ones, except for this heinous act. I urge all Zimbabweans to stand by these bereaved families who need every support from all of us during this very sad and difficult hour,” he said. “The Government has already taken a decision to assist these families by meeting all funeral and burial expenses as we send off the two deceased officers.”
President Mnangagwa said while the country awaits results of investigations which are underway, the best tribute it could give the deceased and their grieving families was to stand together as a nation to emphatically denounce violence and terrorism of any kind and form. He urged the country to commit to peaceful, free and fair elections which are set for next month.
President Mnangagwa said the acts of terrorism would not deter the progress that the country aimed to achieve.
“These merchants of terror must never be allowed to succeed, let alone stop the march of democracy, economic recovery and national progress which our people deserve.
On behalf of the party, Zanu-PF, Government, my family and on my own behalf, I tender my deepest condolences to families of the deceased officers.
“As I do so, I wish all those caught up in the terror attack speedy recovery.
“Government is already taking comprehensive steps and measures to ensure that peace endures in our whole nation. May their souls rest in eternal peace,” said President Mnangagwa.