by Nobleman Runyanga
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has issued a condolence message to the families of the four Grain Marketing Board (GMB) workers who perished yesterday afternoon following an explosion at the parastatal’s Lions Den depot in Mashonaland West province.
“On behalf the Party, ZANU PF, Government and on my own behalf, I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to the families which have lost their loved ones. In the same vein, I wish speedy recovery to all those injured in the valiant rescue efforts that followed the explosion,” said the President.
The President paid tribute to the deceased for contributing towards the nation’s food security and the rescue teams who rescued some of the survivors.
“The four died in the line of duty as they sought to secure our Strategic Grain Reserves (SGR) stored at many sites which include Lions Den. Our nation applauds those brave souls who put their own lives at risk in a bid to help the trapped workers,” read part of President Mnangagwa’s condolence statement.
Although the outgoing Minister of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement, Perrance Shiri indicated yesterday that he had ordered an investigation into the matter, the President pointed out that indications were that the blast had been caused by a combination of combustible gas and an electrical fault.
“While investigations are still under way, initial indications point to a possible electrical fault exacerbated by combustible gases in (silo) tunnels which, sadly, may have caused the fatal explosion which trapped the four,” the President said.
President highlighted that he had directed the relevant Government ministries and departments to assist those who were affected by the explosion.
In view of the incident, President Mnangagwa has ordered that proactive and preventative measures be taken at all GMB depots to avert the recurrence of similar disasters in future.
“I have directed that all silos in the country immediately undergo safety checks, and that necessary remedial and preventative measures be promptly undertaken and instituted in order to avert such mishaps in future,” read part of the President’s statement.
