Bus ploughs into 21 cattle

A BOTSWANA-bound bus was involved in a tragic accident on Monday evening when it ploughed into a herd of 21 cattle along the Bulawayo-Plumtree highway.

The incident occurred 10km from Plumtree town.
Eighteen cattle were killed instantly. Some of the cattle bore ear tags labelled “A S Khumalo Summerton,” while others reportedly belonged to Mr Maphosa of Solwezi Village in Mangwe District, Matabeleland South Province.

The bus driver emerged unscathed from the accident. The three surviving cattle were reportedly purchased by local butchery owners in Plumtree.

Contacted for comment, Matabeleland South acting provincial police Spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Stanford Mguni, said he had not yet received a report on the incident.

“I am yet to receive a report on the issue, but you can check with me tomorrow (Wednesday) for more details,” he said.
The accident highlights the need for increased vigilance on roads, particularly in areas where livestock often roam.
Government has noted with concern the vandalism of fences that were erected along the country’s highways to curb road carnage caused by stray animals.

The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, through the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ), is spearheading the project and has vowed to fence off the country’s major highways to prevent livestock from roaming onto the roads.

The programme started with the installation of the Bulawayo-Gweru Highway perimeter fence.
The TSCZ also intensified educational campaigns to ensure that all farmers along major highways also put yellow reflective ear tags on their herds to reduce accidents.

Under the Roads and Road Traffic regulations, farmers risk being prosecuted for stray livestock.
This however, has fallen on deaf ears as some farmers do not monitor and pen their cattle at night.

Due to the incessant rains experienced this season, there has been an abundance of grass for grazing, which has seen most livestock’s resorting to graze by the roadsides.

A number of people have died on the country’s highways in accidents caused by animals that stray onto roads.
In 2013, National Railways of Zimbabwe general manager and freedom fighter Air Commodore Mike Tichafa Karakadzai (Retired) died after the car he was driving hit a stray cow at the 79km peg along the Gweru-Bulawayo road just after the Shangani Mine turn-off flyover.

Concerns have also been raised over the neglect of the Bulawayo –Plumtree Highway due to the absence of road markings and road signs in some parts.