In a disturbing development, a family is going through untold anguish after learning that their haulage truck driver was buried secretly in the DRC without their knowledge and consent.

According to local Zimbabwean publication H-Metro, Dryton Mpofu, who was employed by transport company, Sabot Carriers Private Limited, was buried in the DRC without his family being informed.

The family alleges that the company has not been forthcoming about what transpired.

The family is not even sure of the cause of death with some people telling them that Mpofu succumbed to Malaria while others opine that it was actually Covid-19. The family further alleges that Sabot officials have not even bothered to talk to the family about compensation and terminal benefits.

Mpofu’s anguished wife told local publication H-Metro that she still harbours hope that her husband will return to her due to the poor and disorganised manner in which the matter has been handled. She told the publication,

“They did not explain well to me and my children, we are still shocked.

“I was called pertaining to the sickness of my husband.

“I was told it was Malaria and later told its Covid-19.

“They could have explained properly.

“After getting sick, I was told he had died and has been buried.

“No proper explanation has been explained to me until now.”

“We were expecting an official from the company to come to us but they have not come to explain.

“Nothing has been promised in the form of compensation or anything, they are just silent.

Sabot’s HR personnel George Gwezere told H-Metro that his company will get back. It is now more than a week since the company was reached for comment.

Another source who spoke to the publication claimed that Mpofu’s body could not be repatriated because of a directive from the DRC government.

“The relatives were notified of the sad development and we were waiting to go and pay our condolences.

“They did not agree on anything, but they were only told of the issue, alluding that it was a directive from the DRC government saying all the deaths are considered as Covid-19.

“…It was not properly communicated even if he had died of whatever disease.”