By Rex Mphisa
A woman and her child have been struck by a truck on the New Limpopo Bridge for vehicles between Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Both died on the spot.
“She was hit by a haulage truck and died on the spot. Yes I can confirm that accident,” said the officer commanding Beitbridge Police District Chief Superintendent Mesuli Ncube.
It is understood the accident happened around 8am.
Zimborders general manager at Beitbridge Nqobile Ncube said although the bridge is not under his supervision as it belongs to Zimbabwe National Roads Authority, it is reserved for vehicles.
“We are waiting for full details. But it’s a no pedestrian area. Pedestrians should not be on that bridge as Zinara will attest,” said Ncube.
An image by citizen journalists showed the remains of a human figure right in the centre of the bridge suggesting she may have been jaywalking.
Border jumpers and people avoiding Customs and Excise on the Zimbabwean side are known to use he vehicles bridge from where they slide away from authorities.
On the Zimbabwean side it happens despite the presence of police and army officers accused of cashing in from such activities.
Of late some cars are off-loading goods on he bridge which are later carried manually to slide under the bridge in full view of the police and army personnel deployed at the bridge.
A Beitbridge resident said the accident was something waiting to happen considering officials opted looking aside or line their pockets at the expense of safety.