Zimbabwe woke to grim news on Wednesday morning, as two separate road accidents involving ZUPCO buses claimed two lives and left 33 injured. The incidents, occurring within hours of each other, have reignited concerns about road safety in the country.
The first accident unfolded around 9:30 AM along the Harare-Masvingo Road, near the 105-kilometre peg in Featherstone. A collision between an Elsberry bus and a ZUPCO bus resulted in one fatality and 26 injuries.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) issued a statement confirming the incident: “The ZRP confirms a fatal road traffic accident which occurred at the 105-kilometre peg along Harare-Masvingo Road in Featherstone on 06/11/24 at around 0930 hours. One person died on the spot while 26 others were injured when an Elsberry Bus collided with a ZUPCO bus.”
The statement continued, detailing the aftermath: “As a result, the ZUPCO bus overturned and landed on its side. The body of the victim was taken to Chivhu General Hospital mortuary for post-mortem while the injured are admitted at the same hospital.”
Hours earlier, a second tragedy struck along the Harare-Mutare Road. At approximately 7:45 AM, a ZUPCO bus veered off the road at the 39-kilometre peg and overturned, landing on its roof. This accident tragically claimed another life and left seven others injured.
The ZRP confirmed this incident as well: “One person died on the spot while seven others were injured when a ZUPCO bus veered off the road and overturned before landing on its roof at the 39-kilometre peg along Harare-Mutare Road on 06/11/24 at around 0745 hours.”
Similar to the Featherstone incident, the police report stated: “The body of the victim was taken to Marondera Provincial Hospital mortuary for post-mortem while the injured are admitted at the same hospital.”
These back-to-back accidents have understandably raised serious questions about road safety practices and the need for increased vigilance on Zimbabwe’s highways. The ZRP has repeatedly urged motorists, particularly bus drivers, to exercise greater caution to prevent such devastating incidents. The frequency of these accidents highlights the urgent need for improved road infrastructure, stricter enforcement of traffic regulations, and enhanced driver training programmes.
Adding to the day’s tragic toll, a separate accident in Bulawayo claimed two lives. At the busy intersection of Robert Mugabe and 1st Avenue, two touts perished in a collision involving a Pepsi truck.
Witnesses reported that the truck driver lost control after hitting a road depression. The truck’s cab flipped over, resulting in the fatal outcome. Emergency services responded swiftly, with the fire brigade working to free one victim trapped in the wreckage. Despite their best efforts, both victims were declared dead at the scene.
Witnesses described a chaotic and distressing scene, recalling a loud crash as the truck veered off course, leaving onlookers and other drivers in a state of shock. Police have launched an investigation to determine the precise cause of the accident and understand how the driver lost control. The identities of the deceased have not yet been released, as authorities work to inform their families.
