Hosia Mviringi
From the ashes of a horrific collision accident near Mutare rose a new hero.
December 25, 2021, will go down history as a dark Christmas for the generality of Zimbabwe, as the nation woke up to the sad news of a tragic accident involving a laden fuel tanker and a Beta long-distance bus just outside Mutare.
On Christmas Eve, exactly 20 km outside Mutare, just before the tollgate into Mutare from Harare, a fully loaded bus from Harare collided head-on with a laden fuel tanker.
The bus instantly burst into a ball of fire which threatened to consume all the around 65 passengers on board.
Many passengers kicked their way out of the burning bus, yet for others, it was way too late to help themselves.
Then in came Mr Sirizani Butau. A brave trucker who risked his own life to save the trapped passengers on the bus.
A total of eight precious lives were saved in one if the most dangerous operations by an untrained firefighter.
In a message of condolences to the bereaved families, President Emmerson Mnangagwa took time to thank and recognise the selfless efforts of Mr Butau and other outstanding Zimbabweans who rose to the occasion to rescue trapped passengers.
“In particular, I was struck by the bravery of one of our citizens, Sirizani Butau, who defied personal safety to help with the rescue effort, in the process sustaining several burns and injuries. Without him and many others who rose to the occasion, many more lives could have been hurt, or even lost,” said President Mnangagwa.
The President went on to pledge government’s commitment to honour such gallant sons and daughters of the soil who stand ready to put their lives on the line to help those in need.
“Our nation honours such great deeds which should never go unnoticed and uncelebrated. Indeed these deeds cultivate and impart great compassion to our nation. Thus confirming our humanity as a people,” said President Mnangagwa.
Mr Butau, for his heroics, could be well in the running for the Grand Order of Merit Award for Bravery and Courage in Peace Times.
President Mnangagwa introduced Honours Awards in August this year which, in a giant shift into national inclusivity, recognised outstanding civilians for awards in various categories.
Speaking at this year’s National Thanksgiving and Dedication Service in Bulawayo yesterday, the President described Mr Sirizani Butau as Christ like in sacrificing his own life to save others.
“He demonstrated Christ like selflessness, bravery and love even at the risk of losing his own life. May God fill us as a nation, with this kind of love,” President Mnangagwa said.
The President wished Mr Butau and many other injured passengers a speedy recovery.
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