The family is still heartbroken and seeking closure and it is now a month after a top United States of America diplomat ran over and killed a primary school girl. The tragic incident occurred in June when Ruvarashe Takamhanya who was a bright and promising young girl was fatally injured by the US Embassy Second Secretary, Mr Eric Kimpton.
“She wanted to be a pilot. I am still struggling to eat,” said Ruvarashe’s grandmother, Gogo Beaular Machingura (63) as she revealed that she lost her appetite on the day her granddaughter’s life was tragically taken away.
Ruvarashe had been staying with her grandmother in Masiiwa Village in Dema and the two had developed a strong bond after her biological parents divorced.
“She was like a friend to me,” said Gogo Machingura as she recalled the unbreakable bond the two shared.
On the day that the young girl lost her life, Gogo Machingura and Ruvarashe left their village home at around 10am and separated at the gate as Ruvarashe was heading to Marikopo Primary School while Gogo Machingura was going to the Ward Centre for her Early Childhood Development (ECD) courses.
“When she had travelled about 10 metres, she waved me goodbye,” said Gogo Machingura who was then struggling to fight back her tears as she recalled that it was their last goodbye.
It was only after Gogo Machingura had arrived at the Ward Centre that she received the devastating news.
“I was simply told that my granddaughter had been hit, alive but badly injured,” she said.
When she arrived at the accident scene she was surprised to realise that the alleged killer had already left and little Ruvarashe was dead.
“My granddaughter had already died and the alleged killer had reportedly left to report the case to the police. But we have never seen his face up to this day,” Gogo Machingura added.
The family is seeking now compensation, though they acknowledge that the alleged American killer had contributed to the expenses for Ruvarashe’s burial.
“Yes it was an accident but our hearts are still bleeding. They should at least compensate us,” Gogo Machingura said.
The family had hoped to see the alleged killer visit Ruvarashe’s grave and make arrangements for compensation.
“He simply sent two representatives and we have never heard anything from them or him since the burial,” Gogo Machingura said.
The pain of losing young Ruvarashe continues to haunt Gogo Machingura.
“I am going to church but I am still finding it difficult to get a reason to pray,” she said.
The tragic memory of her young granddaughter is quickly evoked by the sight of Ruvarashe’s usual spot at church and her Sunday school peers.
Mr Silvester Takamhanya who is Ruvarashe’s biological father said the family needs closure.
“I am not demanding much but the killer should understand that this child had her own dreams. She had a bright future and had promised her grandmother that once she got a job she would buy her a house in Borrowdale and she had promised me a house in Mt Pleasant and her mother had been promised a house in Marlborough. It all shows that our child had big plans for us. So they should at least do something so that we can feel better,” he said.
Mr Kimpton who is the alleged killer left the country with his family under the shield of diplomatic immunity and claimed that he was traumatised and needed counselling services. The police have opened a docket against him after he failed to present himself following the accident.
In a statement published last week, the US Embassy in Harare alleges that the diplomat in question complied with all local procedures when the accident took place.
“The US embassy expressed its sincere condolences and deep sadness regarding the tragic death of a school-aged girl near Dema, in Zimbabwe on June 3rd, 2024. The US embassy including the US diplomat involved in the accident transparently complied with local officials following the accident. The diplomat involved in the accident has since departed Zimbabwe. US embassy representatives have been in communication with the family and community including attendance at the funeral and support for the girl’s family. The US embassy recognizes the devastation of this accident for all involved and will continue to communicate and cooperate with the police and other officials as they complete their investigation. Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones, of the girl,” a spokeswoman for the embassy said in a statement.
