25 December 2021
Innocent Sibonginkosi Ncube
A horrific accident has claimed a number of several passengers in a head on collusion between a bus and a fuel tanker.
Information trickling in suggests that several passengers from Mutare-bound Beta Bus Company have been burnt beyond recognition.
The accident happened when the driver of the Beta bus tried to avoid hitting a drunkard pedestrian and encroached onto the lane of the oncoming tanker resulting in a head on collision.
The tanker, which was transporting fuel, burst into flames. Both vehicles were reduced to wrecks.
Zim GBC News was sent the following messages by sources who claimed to have witnessed the accident,
“Serious accident just before Mutare Tollgate…. Out of 72 passengers plus standing, just 8 survived. Head-on Beta and 2 haulage trucks loaded with petrol. Check for your relatives”
Another source sent this publication in Shona to the effect that,
“Vane hama dzakwira bhazi raBeta check wt them pliz bhazi ratsva pafa vanhu more than 50 vatsvira muBhazi izvozvi head on neTanker paMatongo near Mutare tollgate, Vanhu taradza kuvabatsira vangavabuda mubhazi coz maFlames acho aipisa saka tabatsira vashoma vasingasvike 10 izvozvi, mota dzirikutotsva izvozvi pliz check kana muine hama dzirikubva kuHarare”
Translated the message says those with relatives who journeyed on a Beta Bus, please check with them as about 50 people were burnt beyond recognition when the bus was involved in a head on collusion with a fuel tanker. Witnesses tried to assist but failed as the flames were intense.
Later the Manica Post reported the same accident with different figures of casualties.
Manica Post reports that Manicaland Provincial Secretary for Development and Devolution, Mr Edgars Seenza, who was at the scene confirmed the accident and said so far three people have been confirmed dead.
“The driver of the fuel tanker and two passengers from the bus were burnt beyond recognition and their remains were still to be retrieved from the wreckage.” Manica Post reports.
“The accident happened around 5pm and so far police have confirmed the death of three people. What we have gathered so far is that the driver of the Beta bus tried to avoid hitting a drunkard pedestrian and encroached into the lane of the oncoming tanker resulting in a head on collision. The tanker, which was transporting fuel, burst into flames. Both vehicles were reduced to wrecks.
“As the Civil Protection Unit, we are encouraging motorists to exercise extreme caution on the roads,” said Mr Seenza.
This is the second accident reported involving passanger buses this festive season.
Unconfirmed reports with images of a Mnenzwa Bus was received by Zim GBC News showing an overturned bus with passangers lying all over and some trapped on the upside down vehicle.
It has been a ‘norm’ in Zimbabwe that, during the festive season, accidents involving passanger vehicles are reported. So far this publication has not ascertained as to how many accidents have occurred since the beginning of the holidays.
It is during this time that many people travel to various destinations to celebrate Christmas with relatives and family.
Unfortunately they use public transport whose owners aim to maximise on profit thus disregard passenger safety protocols.
Zim GBC New