Two people were killed while five others were injured in a road traffic accident involving a bus and a kombi that occurred on Sunday evening 16 km outside Gwanda along the Bulawayo-Gwanda Road.
Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Loveness Mangena confirmed the sad incident.
Inspector Mangena told Chronicle that the bus was on its way from Bulawayo to Gwanda and was travelling behind a Nissan Liberty when the driver suddenly applied emergency brakes to avoid hitting some donkeys.
In a bid to avoid crashing into the Nissan Liberty, the bus driver then encroached onto the lane of oncoming vehicles and collided with a kombi that was coming from Gwanda and going to Bulawayo.
“I can confirm that we recorded a fatal road accident where two females died,” she said.
“Two people who were in the kombi died while five others were injured.”
Meanwhile, four people were injured in another collision between a Gatsheni Bus Services vehicle and a Howo truck at the 75-kilometer peg along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road around 3 PM yesterday. The incident occurred when the truck reportedly encroached into the bus’s lane as it was headed towards Bulawayo.
Matabeleland North police spokesperson, Inspector Glory Banda, confirmed the crash, stating that the injured were promptly taken to local hospitals, where their conditions were reported as stable.
Among those injured was the bus driver, Mr. Member Ndlovu, a 58-year-old resident of Mpopoma, Bulawayo, who sustained a deep cut to his brow and experienced pain in his right leg and chest. The Gatsheni bus, carrying 32 passengers, was struck on its right side by the Howo truck, which was towing a trailer and driven by the sole occupant.
“The truck driver encroached into the bus’s lane and rammed into it. Both vehicles came to a stop on their wheels upon impact,” Inspector Banda reported.
The injured passengers include Samukeliso Nkomo, a 25-year-old woman from Entumbane, who suffered cuts on her right leg, left thigh, and left foot and was treated at Bembesi Clinic. Also injured were Peter Matopi, 52, from Mambane Village, Gokwe, who sustained a cut on his left palm, and Richard Ndlovu, 83, from Tiki Village, Tshongogwe, who suffered lacerations on his forehead. Both men received treatment at Bembesi Clinic and are reported to be stable.
Inspector Banda urged motorists to exercise heightened caution, particularly with the onset of the rainy season. He noted that roads in Matabeleland North can become especially hazardous during wet weather, with slippery sections and challenging bends, particularly in areas like Cross Dete to Kamativi and Cross Dete to Hwange.
“Drivers must remain vigilant and avoid speeding in all weather conditions,” Inspector Banda advised.
