Politicians of all colour stood side-by-side on Wednesday as the saxophone prodigy was buried next to his friend and sound engineer, Owen Chimhare, who also died in the accident.Chimhare, 24, was driving and Sam a passenger when their TATA pick-up truck struck the railings of a low bridge just outside the capital Harare on the road to Norton where they both lived. They died on the spot after suffering serious head injuries.

Sam’s mum, Daisy, broke down as she took some dirt from a shovel and sprinkled it on her son’s coffin. She was supported by husband, Oliver, who has spoken of his heartache at the loss of his only son. Sam’s tearful siblings Selma, Sandra, Samantha and half-sister Faith followed their mother in the ritual.A jazz band from Sam’s former school, Prince Edward, sang by his graveside as family, friends and fans fought back tears on a sun scorched afternoon.

Gospel star Pastor Charles Charamba read from the Bible and delivered a prayer before the simultaneous burial of the life-long friends who even in death would not be separated.