Zimbabwe is reeling in shock and grief after two devastating accidents claimed 13 lives and left dozens injured in just one week. The tragic incidents have left the nation in mourning and raised serious concerns about road safety and reckless driving.
The first accident occurred when a Passion Link Coaches bus caught fire and burned near Gandanzara in Rusape, claiming 8 lives and leaving dozens injured.
The bus was transporting Anglican Church members home from the Bernard Mizeki Annual Festival in Marondera. A mechanical fault resulted in a fire consuming the bus taking out 8 lives who failed to escape.
Just a few days later, a commuter omnibus overtaking on a blind curve in Mazowe resulted in a head-on collision, claiming 5 lives and leaving several injured. The driver’s allegede reckless behavior has been blamed for the accident.
In a statement issued on Monday, June 17, 2024, the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Manicaland, CPCA, The Rt. Revd. Erick said, we are still trying to come to terms with what happened. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives.
Transport Minister Felix Mhona has vowed to take action against reckless drivers and bus owners, promising to hold them accountable for their negligence.
He said the Passion Link Coaches bus involved in the accident had no certificate of fitness and as a result, Government had revoked the company’s operating licence with immediate effect.
Minister Mhona said, “We will ensure that justice is served and that such tragedies never happen again.”
The two accidents have raised questions about the safety of Zimbabwe’s roads and the behavior of some drivers. The government has promised to investigate the incidents and take measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
May the memories of those who lost their lives be a blessing to all who knew them, and may their passing serve as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment.