TRUCKER’S DEATH IN DRC TRIGGERS PROTEST

A NICK’S Motors haulage driver reportedly died on Saturday on his way to deliver cargo in the Democratic Republic of (Congo DRC).

According to an official statement by the company the deceased Itai Mlambo had left the country with no signs of ailment. However, a source privy to the bereaved family claimed Mlambo had informed his wife and superiors of his condition before embarking on the fateful trip to the DRC.

The source said the deceased’s family on Monday and Tuesday stormed Nicks Motors premises demanding swift repatriation of their relative’s remains.

Police had to be called in after the family’s demands grew each minute they were not attended to by management at the truck depot in New Ardbennie.

“The family and a few members of staff joined in a protest at the company’s premise since Monday after one of the managers had suggested that the deceased’s body be buried in DRC because of Covid-19 restrictions.

“The company had suggested to compensate the late Mlambo’s wife so that she won’t demand to have her husband’s remains brought back to the country.

“As co-workers we downed our tools and joined the family in protest against the treatment because one of own’s family was being ill-treated after he died on duty,” said the source.

The family also demanded for one of its members to be sponsored on a trip to Kinshasa to repatriate the deceased’s body.

Contacted for comment, Nick’s Motors managing director Simone Mesham dismissed the reports saying the delay was only caused by laid down World Health Organisation Covid-19 protocols.

“We sadly confirm the passing away of one of Nick’s Motors employee who died due to an unknown illness.

“The company has set in motion the processes of repatriation, including notifying the authorities in both countries and appointing lawyers and agents to ensure all processes were followed through and with all relevant stakeholders having been informed.

“Unfortunately, even following the extreme and avid efforts of Operations Management, with assistance from DRC representation, and with the invaluable assistance and care of fellow drivers present, Itai passed away in the ambulance en route to hospital in Likasi, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo,” said Mesham.

Mesham said the remains were awaiting repatriation back to the country.

“The remains were safely transferred to an alternate hospital in Likasi, awaiting further authorisation and liaison with next of kin and family members for repatriation back to Zimbabwe.

“Itai was a valued and well respected member of the Nick’s Motors team, he was a humble, kind man, a good father and a hard worker,” she said.

Asked why there was commotion at the company after the Mlambos allegedly called the company to action, she said;

“On Monday morning 31 members of the late Itai Mlambo’s family entered the Nick’s Motors premises without authority or permission.

“At the time, management understood and were sympathetic to the fact that the family members were bereaved and therefore reacted accordingly preferring to refrain from having them removed from the premises and cause unnecessary upset.

“However, during the course of discussions the situation became volatile and the situation was deemed unsafe to all members on-site given the Covid-19 pandemic threat,” she said.

She said the clash happened for two days and an agreement to have one member of the Mlambos already in DRC on duty be assigned to make sure all procedures are done quickly.

“The company has now agreed to facilitate the travel and accommodation, as well as release from work, of the late Itai Mlamabo’s uncle, who was on assignment in the DRC with another transport company to be on the ground in Likasi for first-hand information, as the official representative of the family,” she said.