A sombre mood engulfed Kuwadzana Extension on Sunday as thousands gathered to bid farewell to three young children whose mysterious deaths have plunged Zimbabwe into mourning. The funeral, held in the Herbert Chitepo area, drew emotional crowds from all walks of life — neighbours, church members, and strangers united in grief and disbelief.
The three children — whose bodies were found lifeless inside a locked car trunk on Friday — were laid to rest amid tears, prayers, and an overwhelming sense of national sorrow Their deaths have not only shaken the local community but also ignited widespread concern across the country, prompting calls for calm, unity, and justice.
As the coffins were carried into the churchyard, hymns filled the air, mingling with the cries of grieving relatives. Members of various church denominations attended the service, among them congregants from the Bethesda Apostolic Church, where siblings Anotidaishe and Anopa Muzanago’s family worships. Church leader Bishop Nyasha Manhango led the proceedings with a heartfelt message that underscored the importance of compassion in times of tragedy.
“As the Church, we were heartbroken when we heard about the death of these innocent children,” Bishop Manhango said. “We came here and joined in the search when they went missing. Today, we stand with the families to say — let love, peace, and unity prevail. The nation must come together, not be divided by anger or speculation.”
His message struck a deep chord among mourners, many of whom have been struggling to come to terms with the chilling discovery that ended days of desperate searching.
The children had been reported missing last Wednesday, sparking a frantic community effort to locate them. When they were finally found on Friday — locked in a parked vehicle — hope turned instantly to heartbreak. The news quickly went viral on social media, fuelling intense speculation about the cause of death and sparking unverified claims of ritual involvement.
Nation Mourns Kuwadzana Children as Calls for Peace and Patience Grow Louder
In response, police have appealed to the public for patience and restraint as investigations continue. Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) National Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi, who has been at the forefront of communicating developments in the case, urged citizens to trust the investigative process and avoid spreading falsehoods.
“We are calling on the nation to allow the Police to carry out their investigations,” Commissioner Nyathi said. “Once verified information is available, it will be released. We understand the pain and anger people are feeling, but let us handle this with respect and responsibility.”
Commissioner Nyathi also issued a stern warning against individuals attempting to exploit the tragedy for personal gain. He revealed that some people were circulating messages on social media urging Zimbabweans to send money to an Inbucks account, allegedly to assist with funeral costs or fund protests over unverified claims that one of the children’s bodies was mutilated.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police warns members of the public against depositing money into such accounts,” he said. “There is no evidence to support claims that the children were found with missing body parts. These falsehoods are causing unnecessary panic and are contrary to the laws of the country.”
The statement was an attempt to rein in growing misinformation that has threatened to inflame tensions in the grief-stricken community.
By Sunday afternoon, as the children’s tiny coffins were lowered into the ground, emotions overflowed. Heartbroken parents clung to one another, while friends and neighbours struggled to hold back tears. Clergy members led the congregation in prayer, asking for comfort, healing, and divine justice.
Despite the heavy atmosphere, the day was also marked by a sense of solidarity rarely seen in recent times. Representatives from several church groups, local councillors, and ordinary residents joined forces in comforting the bereaved families and condemning the spread of unfounded rumours.
“This tragedy must unite us, not divide us,” one mourner said quietly. “We must let the truth come out through proper investigations, not through social media gossip.”
The loss of the three children has left an indelible mark on Kuwadzana Extension — a community now bound together by grief and the shared hope that justice will be served. As the nation continues to grapple with unanswered questions, both the Church and law enforcement have called for patience, urging Zimbabweans to honour the children’s memory with peace, compassion, and faith.
For now, the small graves in Kuwadzana stand as silent reminders of a tragedy that has tested the nation’s spirit — and of a community’s unwavering call for truth, unity, and love amid heart-wrenching loss.
Source- ZBC
