Harare — The Mtukudzi and Chimhare families yesterday received US$5 000 each donated by President Mugabe following the deaths of their sons Sam and Owen in a tragic car crash on Monday.

The young musicians were laid to rest side-by-side at Warren Hills Cemetery on Wednesday.

The donation from the First Family was officially presented by Transport, Communications and Infrastructural Development Minister and Zanu-PF Politburo member Cde Nicholas Goche at Mtukudzi's Norton home.

"When the President and Amai (Grace) Mugabe heard about the death of Sam and Owen, they saw it fit to present to you a gift since there will be lots of people coming to share their grief with you.

"It is their hope that the gift will go a long way in assisting you to meet funeral expenses when relatives and friends come to visit you during this time of bereavement.

"The First Family knows how it feels to lose a loved one and the President, through his office, asked me to say to you that it was God's will and no one has control over it. Mwari ndiye musiki, ndiye muputsi . . . hatingamutongeri (God is the Creator and we cannot tell him what to do," said Cde Goche.

He said the huge turnout at the funeral was a sign that people appreciated the two young men's good work and urged the families to remain strong.

Accepting the money on his behalf and that of the Chimhare family, Mtukudzi thanked President Mugabe and the people of Zimbabwe for standing by him through trying times.

"When we saw the huge crowd at the funeral we realised that we were not alone. Everyone is grieving with us.

"What was sad about the death was Sam's age and that we had high hopes for him. Taitoti ndiye achatichengeta," Mtukudzi said.

Media, Information and Publicity Minister and Zanu-PF Political Commissar Cde Webster Shamu and musician Alick Macheso and his wife Nyadzisai were also in attendance.