KATIMA MULILO – The adage ‘No parent should have to bury their child’ truly reflected the sombre and heart-wrenching mood during the memorial and burial of the four minors who recently tragically died in Katima Mulilo.
Maureen Simataa (3), Variety Lubilo (6), Mwaka Muzimisa (4) and Chimbo Matengu (3) died last week after they suffocated in an old freezer while playing at one of the parents’ houses in Cowboy location on Monday.
Three of the victims were laid to rest at the Daily Cemetery in Katima Mulilo, while Matengu
was transported to his ancestral land of Makanga village, more than 60 km away from town.
Tragic accident
Despite originating from various homesteads, the children were simply neighbours who awoke with the joyful anticipation of playing together. Tragically, they were unaware that the previous Monday would mark their final day of play.
The devastating news sent shockwaves through the community of the Zambezi
region, leaving many in a state of disbelief and raising questions without clear answers.
Memorial and burial
During the memorial and burial services, the grieving parents of the children were unable to contain their tears, as they recounted their poignant memories of their beloved ones.
The parents not only held onto the hope of witnessing their children grow up, but also longed for additional opportunities to nurture them into adulthood.
The grieving community of Cowboy, largely made up of New Apostolic Church members, especially women, fondly recalled the youth as eager participants in Sunday school.
They noted that the children were consistently lively, and brought happiness to the community.
Despite the scorching heat, family members and the Zambezi community gathered in large numbers to honour the children.
The tragic loss of these young lives resonated deeply with many, including politicians and business leaders, who not only conveyed their condolences, but also generously contributed funds to support the bereaved families.
A grieving community
A local funeral service, Luhamoho Funeral, owned by Denise Scheepers, generously provided memorial and burial services at no cost.
She conveyed her heartfelt condolences, noting that the tragedy has profoundly affected her as a grandmother to a young child.
In response to the tragic accident, she collaborated with the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) to partially fund the purchase of four caskets, and covered the transportation expenses from Windhoek to Katima Mulilo.
PDM’s spokesperson Geofrey Mwilimwa extended the party’s sympathies.
He urged parents and guardians to create safer environments for children, and keep hazardous items out of reach to prevent potential harm.
Zambezi police commander Andreas Shilelo also expressed his condolences to the grieving families. He emphasised the importance of vigilant supervision of young children during playtime, and strongly advised parents and guardians to dispose of any old furniture or materials that could pose risks to children’s safety.
-anakale@nepc.com.na