A devastating accident claimed the life of one passenger and left a three-month-old baby missing after a Green Horse Bus Company vehicle was swept away by floodwaters in Gwanda District on Monday.
The bus, en route from Bulawayo to Gwanda, was attempting to cross the flooded Mletshane River on a narrow bridge when tragedy struck.
The incident occurred around 3 PM on 23 December 2024. The bus, carrying 75 passengers, encountered difficulties as it approached the bridge. According to Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Loveness Mangena, “On 23 December 2024, at about 3 PM, a Green Horse bus with 75 passengers on board attempted to cross a flooded Mletshane River. Unfortunately, the front-left wheel of the bus missed the bridge, causing the vehicle to plunge into the river, and it was swept away.”
The impact of the bus entering the river was immediate and catastrophic. One passenger, identified as 33-year-old Sthembinto Dube of Mawaza Village in Gwanda District, died at the scene. The body was recovered and taken to Gwanda Provincial Hospital mortuary.
However, the most distressing aspect of the accident is the disappearance of a three-month-old baby who was also on board. The infant remains unaccounted for, and fears are growing that the child may have drowned in the raging floodwaters. Emergency services, including police, responded swiftly to the scene, but despite extensive search efforts, the baby is still missing.
Inspector Mangena’s statement confirmed the details of the accident and highlighted the perilous conditions that contributed to the tragedy. The police spokesperson issued a stern warning to motorists and pedestrians, urging caution during the rainy season.
“We appeal to motorists to exercise caution during the rainy season and refrain from crossing flooded rivers. It is better to wait for the water levels to subside than to risk lives unnecessarily. Pedestrians are also advised to be vigilant when crossing rivers,” she stated.
The accident reveals the inherent dangers associated with attempting to navigate flooded waterways. The sheer force of the floodwaters, combined with the precarious nature of the bridge, proved to be a deadly combination.
