By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
GOVERNMENT has provided a State-assisted burial for 33-year-old Lucia Nhangwaza, who died during the repatriation process from South Africa on July 14.
Nhangwaza died while travelling on a bus from Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, to Zimbabwe.
Some fellow passengers said she collapsed upon arrival at the Beitbridge Border Post.
A memorial service was held at a funeral parlour at Beitbridge on Thursday before her body was transported to Chegutu, where she will be laid to rest on Friday.
She is survived by three children.
Speaking during the memorial service, the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Honourable Edgar Moyo, conveyed condolences from President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the Government and the people of Zimbabwe.
He said Nhangwaza died during the repatriation process on the South African side of the border before completing her journey home.
Moyo said Government remained committed to ensuring the safe, orderly and dignified return of Zimbabweans affected by anti-migrant tensions in South Africa.
He said since the repatriation exercise began, thousands of Zimbabweans had been assisted to return home through a coordinated whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach involving Government departments, humanitarian organisations and other partners.
Moyo said Government facilitated the repatriation of Nhangwaza’s remains from South Africa to Zimbabwe to allow her to be buried by her family. He added that Government also provided State assistance towards funeral and burial expenses, as well as grocery support for the bereaved family.
“These interventions reflect Government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that no Zimbabwean is left behind, whether in life or in death,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the family, the late Lucia’s father, Caleb Nhangwaza, thanked Government for the support it had rendered in bringing his daughter’s body home and assisting with the funeral arrangements.
He said the burial is scheduled for Friday in Chegutu.
The Government-led repatriation programme was launched to assist Zimbabweans returning home following anti-migrant violence and tensions in parts of South Africa, with reception and support services being coordinated through the Beitbridge Reception Centre.