By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Government ministers visited the site of yesterday’s horrific accident, 20 kilometers outside Beitbridge, which tragically claimed the lives of 25 people.
They also visited hospitals to offer condolences and support to the injured victims and express their sympathies to the families of the deceased.
During their visit, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) briefed the ministers on the preliminary findings of their investigation.
According to the ZRP, the primary cause of the accident was negligence on the part of the bus driver, who allegedly overtook another vehicle near a tollgate, leading to a collision with an oncoming.
Adding to the severity of the situation, Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) officials informed the ministers that the bus was operating without authorization.
“The bus was not authorized to operate on the road as it had no route permit and passenger insurance,” stated a VID official.
“Furthermore, the driver was not supposed to be on the road as his defensive driving retest, which expired in 2021, was outstanding. This posed a danger to the lives of the passengers.”
In response to these alarming revelations, the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Hon. Daniel Garwe, addressing the media at the scene, urged the ZRP and VID to conduct thorough assessments of all vehicles, particularly those used for public transport, to ensure the safety of the public.
Minister Garwe further acknowledged the incident as a state disaster, assuring the affected families that the government, through the Civil Protection Unit (CPU), would provide assistance during this difficult time.
“The government, as is its custom, through the CPU, will participate in assisting affected families through these difficult times,” he stated.
The Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Hon. F. Mhona, emphasized the need for stricter compliance and increased awareness within the traffic sector.
He called upon the Road Motor Transportation Department to take charge and ensure that all regulations are adhered to.
“The Ministry of Transport, through the Safety Council of Zimbabwe, will continue to raise awareness of the essence of upholding the rules and regulations when you are on the road,” Mhona stated.
The Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Matabeleland South, Hon. Evelyn Ndlovu, expressed the region’s collective grief.
“We are grieving as Matabeleland South for the loss of life that could have been avoided,” she said.
Minister Ndlovu further urged responsible authorities to collaborate closely to ensure that drivers are qualified for their roles and that fleet operators prioritize the renewal of licenses and all necessary documentation.
The ministers’ visit underscores the government’s commitment to addressing the root causes of the accident and preventing similar tragedies in the future.