By NCHIMUNYA MIYOBA in Kitwe
Hundreds of Kitwe residents turned up yesterday to pay their last respect to the wednesday’s black mountain tragedy that claimed 10 people.
Business come to a stand still as scores of residents took turns to bide fairwell to the small scale miners popularly known as the jerabos.
The residents assembled at Kitwe Teaching Hospital mortaury as early as 09:00hrs to get a glimpse of the coffins that were displaced in readiness of burial.
Meanwhile President Edgar Lungu said Government will engage the mining industry, specialist and expert in a constructive dialogue in order to promote consensus on the best way to involve those with a stake in the black mountain.
In a speech read for him by Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Richard Musukwa who lead hunderds of Kitwe residents at Chisokone Cemetery, Mr Lungu said a solution will soon be found to ensure that the good intentions by government are not lost due to the many concerns surrounding the incident.
Mr Lungu noted that as a Christian nation when such tragedies happen it is important to turn to God for spiritual healing and guidance.
He has since thanked the church, the emergency response team and the community for the help rendered to the bereaved families on the material day.
Five bodies have been put to rest at ZNS chisokone Cemetery in Chamboli while the four bodies have been buried at Chingola road cemetery and lastly the 10 body was buried in Chibuluma.
Burial was attended by Copperbelt Minister Japhen Mwakolombe, his permanent Secretaries, various Members of Parliament and senior government officials.
