The mayor of the Musina Local Municipality, Cllr Caroline Mahasela, shared the grief of five bereaved families in Nancefield, Harper Mine and Rwanda settlements last Friday.

Mahasela said she visited the families to demonstrate that the municipality was also worried about the number of deaths in Musina. She said all the diseased who died from different causes were valuable members of the Musina community.

Accompanied by Cllr Benson Maphanga and municipal officials, the mayor travelled from one house to another while a short prayer session was conducted in every house.

Mahasela says it was a sad thing to lose community members because the municipality prides itself on its inhabitants. "One death is too many for us, because people are our wealth. It is very painful because some of the deceased were breadwinners who worked hard to support their families. Some have left young kids behind who will grow up without knowing the tender care of parenthood," she added.

Mahasela told the families to be strong although they were in pain after losing their loved ones. "We understand the pangs of death, but there is nothing we can do because God has done His will. If a person is sick and dies, it means he is healed because he no longer feels the pain. As a responsible municipality, we are duty bound to be next to you in hard times like these."

One of the bereaved family members, Luambo Phiri, who lost her younger sister, Tokie Sarah Phiri (46) to illness, said the mayor’s visit had given them courage to go on with life. "Although we are hurt by losing one of our family members, we can now face the future with courage because we know that there are people who support us out there."