Prominance Sinomusa Khumalo
Bulawayo – A near-fatal accident occurred today at the intersection of Twelfth Avenue and Samuel Parirenyatwa Street, involving a haulage truck and a commuter omnibus, commonly referred to as a Kombi.
Eyewitnesses who spoke to this publication stated that the Kombi was coming from the direction of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair grounds along S. Parirenyatwa Street when the driver lost control and veered onto oncoming traffic in the wrong lane. The Kombi driver then attempted to squeeze between a robot pole and the haulage trailer but ended up going underneath the trailer on the passenger side.
The haulage truck was coming from the direction of the suburbs along Twelfth Avenue.
”Iyi truck yanga ichi turner left pama robots, kombi iyi ichibva ne uku ku Trade Fair. Mota dzangedzakamira apa, saka kombi yabva yashaya ma brakes saka ahana kuzo kwanisa kumira nekuti robot ranga ravhura saka anga akuzama kuti apinde pachinzira ichi chema pedestrians abva apinda pasi pe truck,” narrated an eyewitness.
ZIM GBC News reporters arrived at the scene and immediately called for emergency services. However, their attempts to gather information were hindered by a woman who claimed to be a police officer, aggressively questioning and harassing the reporters.
The two reporters promptly produced their IDs, but, despite requests for identification, the woman, who identified herself as Mandlovu, failed to provide proof of her authority.
“Yeyi wena, kanti uyenzani khonapho akutshiye lokhu okwenzayo. Who said you should take pictures?” said MaNdlovu in a threatening tone.
“Unikwe ngubani imvumo yokuthatha, awukwazi kuyabophisa khonokho,” she barked.
Hey you!! Stop what you are doing. Who gave you permission to take photos? Don’t you know that you may be arrested for taking photos without permission?
Her conduct was mirrored by a lone police officer who arrived at the scene a few minutes later and also refused to identify himself.
Ko iwe uri ani? Why are you not identifying yourself? Hausi kuona uniform yandakapfeka?
He was informed that for him to have attended this particular accident, it was the reporters who called the ambulance first and then contacted the ZRP Drill Hall traffic section.
Still, his conduct was unkind. Instead of attending to the injured, he pointed fingers at the reporters.
It was one elderly witness who chastised him and pulled him towards the ambulance crew, who had assisted the injured Kombi passenger into their vehicle.
“I am shocked by this police officer’s behavior,” said a bystander. “They should be protecting citizens, not harassing journalists.”
It seems the Zimbabwe Police Officers are unaware of the new Information Law (FOIA) that allows journalists to work freely.
The accident highlighted concerns about road safety and the presence of haulage trucks in the City Center, which are prohibited by City Council by-laws.
This reporter is not blaming this haulage truck in particular, as the driver was evidently not at fault, but haulage trucks are not allowed in the Central Business District (CBD) due to safety and traffic congestion concerns.
A passenger seated in the front seat of the omnibus suffered head injuries and was rushed to the hospital by ambulance.
The incident is currently under investigation, and authorities are urged to address the conduct of law enforcement officials and ensure compliance with road safety regulations.
As ZIM GBC News, we urge the City Council, together with the government, to review and enforce regulations regarding haulage trucks in urban areas.
This incident raises critical questions about road safety, law enforcement accountability, and the protection of journalists.
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