By Chantelle Tatenda Muzanenhamo
A devastating road accident in South Africa’s Limpopo province has claimed the lives of five Zimbabweans, including the driver, when their Tamuka Coaches bus overturned on Sunday. The bus, traveling from Johannesburg to Harare, experienced a tyre burst, resulting in the fatal crash.
Limpopo’s Department of Transport and Community Safety confirmed the incident, with spokesperson Phuti Lekganyane stating, “A cross-border bus overturned along the N1 north towards Nyl Plaza, outside Mokopane, resulting in the loss of five lives – one woman and four men.”
Scores of passengers were injured and taken to hospitals in Mokopane. This tragic incident follows another fatal accident in Makhado town earlier in the week, which claimed the lives of 10 Zimbabwean nationals.
Limpopo’s Transport MEC, Violet Mathye, has expressed sadness and concern over the recent spate of accidents involving cross-border public transport operators. She has appealed to bus companies to ensure their drivers are fit for purpose, as fatigue may have been a contributing factor in this accident.
The names of the victims have not been released yet. This incident highlights the need for improved road safety measures and driver fatigue management to prevent such tragedies.