18 Kwekwe crash victims named

Harare Bureau

POLICE have released 18 names of the 31 people who died in a road traffic accident involving a bus and a commuter omnibus near Kwekwe, along the Harare-Bulawayo highway last Thursday.The accident has since been declared a national disaster and the government, through the Civil Protection Unit (CPU), pledged to meet all funeral expenses.

Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said the other 13 people from the March 3 horror crash were yet to be identified.

Those identified are Mhuka Mashura (Kwekwe), John Wireless (Bulawayo), Gift Chirape (Bulawayo), Lister Nyathi (Kwekwe), Palmen Manzini (Kadoma), Lawrence Tsvuura (Harare), Jane Nyanhete (Harare), and Micah Makause (Sanyati). All their ages are not known.

Others are Nashly Kamwendo (10 months) of Kadoma, Fanuel Kwashire, 78, of Bulawayo, Nyasha Sibanda, 20, of Kadoma, Sipiwe Mashababe, 58, of Zhombe, Willard Nyota, 48, of Murewa, Epi Nyoni, Zinhle Ncube, Bhekimpilo Tshuma, Prince Mabhena, 34, and Bonisile Mabhena, 34.

“The other 13 are yet to be identified. Police are appealing for those who are missing their relatives to proceed to Kwekwe General Hospital and identify the remaining unidentified 13 bodies,” Snr Asst Comm Charamba said.

President Mugabe expressed grief over the loss of the 31 lives in the road traffic accident. He said the current wet spell had created treacherous conditions on the roads, requiring that drivers and motorists exercise maximum care and responsibility.

The same wet conditions, he added, enjoined owners of vehicles, especially those catering for the commuting public, to ensure that their vehicles were roadworthy.