By Patience Gondo
THE Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in Matabeleland South, Honourable Albert Nguluvhe, has extended what he said was his heartfelt condolences following a horrific kombi explosion that claimed 18 lives.
The accident occurred along the Bulawayo–Beitbridge Highway on Thursday afternoon.
In a statement Thursday , Nguluvhe said he was grieved by the tragedy that occurred between Chipangali and the Gwanda tollgate, describing it as a devastating loss to both the affected families and the province at large.
Confirmed reports from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said the Toyota Quantum kombi, carrying passengers, exploded between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM near the Much Binding area. All 18 people on board perished in the incident.
Nguluvhe said preliminary indications suggest the vehicle may have been transporting explosive or highly inflamable materials at the time, although authorities have said that investigations are still ongoing to determine the exact cause of the explosion.
“On behalf of the Government and the people of Matabeleland South Province, I extend my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who perished,” said Nguluvhe.
“This is a devastating loss not only to the affected families but to the province as a whole.”
He commended the swift response by emergency services and law enforcement agencies, who rushed to the scene and are continuing to assist affected families while managing the aftermath of the disaster.
A source on the scene ,speaking through a relative at Beitbridge on Thursday said the scene was horrific and death smelling everywhere.
Nguluvhe said members of the public should remain calm and allow investigators to carry out their work, while also calling on transport operators to strictly adhere to safety regulations, particularly when transporting goods alongside passengers.
“The safety and well-being of our citizens remain a top priority, and Government will take all necessary measures to ensure accountability and strengthen road safety enforcement,” he said.
The tragedy adds to a growing list of fatal incidents along the Bulawayo–Beitbridge Highway, a route that has witnessed several deadly accidents over the years.
In November 2018, a Brooklyn bus travelling to Messina was involved in a deadly explosion near West Nicholson, reportedly caused by a gas canister that detonated in the luggage compartment, killing at least 31 people.
In another incident in April 2019, 34 passengers narrowly escaped death when a Greyhound cross-border bus caught fire near the 35-kilometre peg in the Mtetengwe area while travelling from South Africa to Bulawayo.
As investigations continue into Thursday’s explosion, the nation mourns yet another tragic loss of life on one of Zimbabwe’s busiest highways.