10 Zimbabweans killed in South African horror crash

THE Zimbabwean embassy in South Africa yesterday dispatched a team to offer consular assistance and ensure the repatriation of bodies after a speeding Mzansi Express bus travelling from Zimbabwe to Johannesburg crashed on the N1 Highway near Makhado town in Limpopo province, South Africa.

Ten people, including five men and five women, were killed in the accident and numerous others were injured in the accident at 3 Miles on Tuesday night.

Zimbabwe’s consul-general in South Africa, Mr Eria Phiri, who is leading the team, expressed condolences to families who lost loved ones in the road accident and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

“We have just arrived on the ground to get more details about the accident. We will be able to ascertain what kind of help we may offer to our nationals working together with the South African government. More information will be available at a later stage,” said Mr Phiri.

Mzansi Express issued a statement, expressing sympathy for those affected, and promised a more detailed statement in due course.

“At about 23.50 hours last night (27 August), our bus registration number HT73PGGP travelling from Bulawayo bound for Johannesburg was involved in an accident at 3 Mile Circle (Roundabout in Makhado, South Africa).

“There were 67 passengers on board as well as the bus crew. Following this accident, some passengers tragically lost their lives and several others suffered various degrees of injuries. We are currently cooperating with law enforcement agents as they attend to the matter,” reads the Mzansi Express statement.

The bus company said the next of kin will be notified once all passengers’ identifications have been verified.

“We kindly ask for your patience as law enforcement and health services provide work on treating and identifying all passengers, both injured and deceased. The management of Mzansi Express would like to take this opportunity to reassure Zimbabweans that we, too, are feeling the nation’s shock and pain at this tragic hour,” reads the statement.

The Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety said: “According to reports, the bus drove over a roundabout, the last traffic circle from Makhado towards Polokwane, at high speed, and the driver lost control resulting in it overturning, killing and injuring some passengers in the process,” reads a statement from the department.

The injured passengers were taken to Louis Trichardt Memorial and Elim Hospitals in Makhado.

The Limpopo MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Ms Violet Mathye, visited the accident scene and the injured in hospital.

She also sent her condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

South African Deputy Minister of Transport, Mr Mkhuleko Hlengwa, is expected to visit the scene and address the media about their intervention to address the N1 Highway’s history of deadly accidents.

He will be joined by senior officials from entities under the department responsible for cross-border road transportation, road safety, rehabilitation and compensation.