Gweru – Seven people tragically lost their lives early Sunday morning in a horrific collision between an Inter Africa bus and a stationary truck on the Harare-Bulawayo highway.
The accident, which occurred at approximately 3:30 am at the 330-kilometre peg, has left a trail of devastation and highlighted the disturbing issue of highway looting in Zimbabwe.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the incident, stating that the injured passengers were swiftly transported to Gweru Provincial Hospital for medical attention. The bodies of the seven deceased were also taken to the hospital mortuary. While the exact number of injured remains unconfirmed pending ongoing investigations, the ZRP is working to establish the full extent of the casualties.
The circumstances surrounding the accident are still under investigation. However, initial reports indicate a collision between the Inter Africa bus and a truck that was stationary at the time of impact.
The police are meticulously piecing together the events leading up to the crash to determine the cause and any contributing factors. This investigation will include examining the condition of both vehicles, driver statements, and any available eyewitness accounts.
The tragedy has been compounded by reports of widespread looting at the accident scene. Opportunistic individuals took advantage of the chaos and distress following the collision to steal goods from the damaged vehicles. This criminal activity not only adds to the suffering of the victims and their families but also undermines the efforts of emergency services and law enforcement personnel.
The ZRP has issued a strong condemnation of this behaviour, reminding the public that looting from accident scenes is a serious criminal offence. In a statement released following the accident, the ZRP highlighted the severity of such actions.
“Communities along highways are reminded that looting goods from accident scenes and taking them for personal use, sale, or any other purpose is a serious crime,” the statement read.
The police are urging communities to refrain from engaging in such activities and to instead cooperate with authorities in assisting victims and facilitating investigations.
The ZRP’s warning underscores the need for heightened awareness and stricter enforcement of laws against highway looting. This type of opportunistic crime not only adds to the trauma of those affected by accidents but also poses a significant risk to public safety. The presence of looters at accident scenes can hinder rescue efforts and create further danger for emergency responders and those involved.
