adminCrime Reporter
TWELVE people were killed, while seven others were seriously injured when a Nissan Caravan they were travelling in veered off the road and overturned along the Roy-Chiredzi Road in Masvingo. The accident occurred at around 7am near the 65km peg along the road.The kombi had 23 passengers on board and was heading towards Jerera from the Svuure area under Chief Bota in Masvingo. National police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi yesterday said on approaching the peg, the driver lost control, veered off the road and overturned.
“Seven people died on the spot while the other five died on admission to Musiso Mission Hospital. Seven others were seriously injured,” he said.
He said the injured were taken to Musiso Mission Hospital for treatment.
The deceased’s identities will be released once their next of kin have been notified. Chief Supt Nyathi expressed concern that some public transporters were overloading their vehicles and ignoring speed limits.
“In this case, the commuter omnibus is authorised to carry 15 passengers but it had 23 passengers on board. We want to urge operators to ensure the safety of the passengers first before anything else,” he said. Chief Supt Nyathi said they would arrest any motorists found on the wrong side of the law.
Last week, eight people died and 21 others were injured when two commuter omnibuses they were travelling in were involved in separate accidents in the Midlands Province.
In one of the accidents, seven people died and another 11 were injured when a Toyota Hiace was involved in a head-on collision with a Chevrolet near the 110km peg along the Masvingo-Mbalabala Road in Zvishavane.
Among the deceased were a mother and her three-year-old child.
In the other accident, one person died and 10 were injured when a Toyota Quantum they were traveling in veered off the road and overturned in Gweru.
Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Dr Obert Mpofu has urged all motorists to adhere to traffic regulations before, during and after the festive season to avoid loss of lives.
The festive season is often plagued by a high number of road traffic deaths.
During the 2012 festive season 166 people died and 867 were injured in 1 030 accidents.
Online Reporter