Accident victims named

The driver of the truck, Misheck Khumalo (36) of Block 59/1843 Mpopoma, is the only one who survived.
He escaped with minor injuries and was admitted to the same hospital.
“We used the passenger manifest sheet and the victims’ belongings to identify them since they were burnt beyond recognition. The deceased persons were travelling

 

back to Beitbridge en-route to South Africa having been home for the Easter holiday,” said Sgt Mangena.

“We also identified the victims using the sitting arrangement in the vehicle and in doing that we were assisted by a malayitsha, who was involved in the loading of the passengers, but was left behind.
“We also identified the other victims through their passports as they were found on their bodies while for some it was through the clothes they were wearing.”

According to police, the driver of the Toyota Hilux is suspected to have fallen asleep before encroaching onto the lane of the oncoming haulage truck resulting in a head-on collision with the Toyota Hilux.
Sgt Mangena said they were yet to identify the remaining two victims, adding that investigations were underway.

The accident has increased the Easter Holiday death toll from 33 to 49.
A total of 293 accidents were recorded nationally during the holiday compared to 289 last year and 49 people died as a result of the accidents compared to 43 last year.
Police also impounded 600 vehicles during the same period and issued out 17 158 tickets to drivers compared to last year when they impounded only 285 vehicles and issued out 13 185 tickets.

Police spokesperson Inspector Blessmore Chishaka said most accidents were a result of speeding, overtaking errors, failure to give way, lack of attention and misjudgment.

He said accidents were also caused by the influx of vehicles on the road, which made the control of vehicles difficult.
Insp Chishaka said police tried every possible way to ensure passenger safety during the holiday.