Wicknell Chivayo's children are undergoing professional counselling and have not yet joined the rest of the family in mourning, according to his uncle. The children had been extremely close to their father, often accompanying him on holidays and outings. The family has been carefully considering how to break the news to them, prioritising their emotional well-being. The uncle assured the public that the children are in safe hands with people looking after them.
The family made a deliberate decision to keep the children away from the main mourning home for now. Bringing them to the residence could trigger a flood of questions about their father, which the family feels would not be healthy at this stage. The uncle explained that they are looking for ways to make the children comfortable and avoid overwhelming them with grief. A nurse has been sought to counsel them.
Funeral arrangements for Wicknell Chivayo have been adjusted, with the service now to be held at his own residence. This decision followed clearance from his in-laws, who reportedly gave the family a green light after the lobola was paid in full. The uncle confirmed that the change in venue was made to accommodate the family's wishes.
Forensic work, including DNA testing, is being carried out at Parirenyatwa Hospital as part of the official identification procedures. Some of Chivayo's relatives have already provided samples, while a few others had not yet done so at the time of the statement. The uncle disclosed that this process is crucial before post-mortem procedures can take place.
The family is delaying the finalisation of Chivayo's burial date and location until his sisters, who are travelling from abroad, return home. The uncle, Herbert, confirmed that several potential burial sites are being considered, including Gandami, Rusha Farm, and Glenforest. Mourners were directed to gather at Chivayo's late mother's house while the family makes these arrangements.
The family had initially planned to hold the funeral at Number 14 Stan Chat or the late businessman's mother's house. However, these plans were changed to hold the service at Wicknell and Lulu's own residence. The in-laws' clearance was crucial in making this decision, as they acknowledged that the widow was now part of Wicknell's family.
The family continues to make necessary arrangements for Wicknell Chivayo's burial, prioritising the identification of the crash victims' remains and the counselling of his children. The uncle expressed the family's desire to handle the situation with care, ensuring that the children and the rest of the family can mourn in a healthy and supportive environment.
Key points
- Wicknell Chivayo's children are undergoing counselling and have not yet joined the family's mourning residence.
- Forensic tests, including DNA testing, are being carried out at Parirenyatwa Hospital to identify the crash victims' remains.
- The family is delaying the finalisation of Chivayo's burial date and location until his sisters return from abroad.
