Chivayo’s Children Receive Counselling as Family Shifts Funeral Proceedings to Gletwin
Story By Staff Reporter
The children of the late businessman Chivayo have not yet joined mourners at the funeral venue. They are receiving counselling, family spokesperson Herbert Chivayo has said, as the family navigates the loss while arrangements continue.
Children being shielded and supported
Herbert Chivayo said the children were very close to their father. They were often seen walking with him, playing with him and travelling with him on holidays.
For that reason, he said, the family is taking a careful approach. Learning of a parent’s death is not easy for any child, and the family wants the children to understand what has happened gradually. In the meantime, counselling is meant to comfort them so they are not overwhelmed by the loss.
The family has decided not to bring the children to the residence for now. Seeing the home and the gathering of mourners could prompt them to cry out for their father and deepen their distress.
“They are in safe hands,” the spokesperson said. The children are staying with people providing counselling, together with their mother.
Forensic and DNA process under way
Herbert Chivayo also said that forensic work, including DNA testing, was being carried out at Parirenyatwa Hospital. Other families with an interest in the matter were invited to send representatives to witness the process.
Some representatives had already arrived and others were still expected. The spokesperson said he understood the process would be completed by the end of the day, after which the family could proceed with its plans.
Funeral venue shifts to Gletwin
Proceedings have now moved to Gletwin. The spokesperson explained that earlier plans for the funeral had changed, with arrangements first centred on one location and later moved after discussions among the families.
He said the late businessman’s in-laws gave their blessing, saying that since he had married their daughter, the wife has the final say in decisions about the funeral. If it proved appropriate to hold the funeral at the family’s own residence, the spokesperson said, that is where it would be done.
For now, people are setting up the Gletwin venue. Anyone planning to attend has been asked to head to Gletwin.
A family in mourning
The family has asked for patience and understanding as it handles the funeral process alongside the children’s wellbeing. Further updates are expected once the forensic process is complete and the final funeral programme is confirmed.
