Online Reporter
Hazel Chitepo
Post Correspondent
A DISABLED vendor was killed this afternoon at Musika Sakubva after a Phils and Pats Tours bus reportedly rolled out of control, veered off the roadway, and crashed into the market parking area where the victim was selling her wares.
The incident has left traders and residents in shock and raised fresh concerns over vehicle safety and emergency response at one of Mutare’s busiest markets.
Sakubva Musika Vendors chairman, Mr Lovemore Chisvo said the bus started to move on its own while it was stationed near the market, veered off the main roadway and rammed into the market.
“At that moment, a one-legged woman was in the area attending to her sacks and bags of merchandise. As the bus approached her, everyone who was in the vicinity ran away for safety, but she could not due to her disability. She had no means to escape, and as a result was struck directly by the bus, leaving her pinned underneath it for more than an hour. Market traders and bystanders rushed to the scene in an attempt to lift and move the bus to free the woman, but their efforts were unsuccessful,” said Mr Chisvo.
He said police officers later arrived and coordinated the rescue.
“We tried many ways to lift the bus and render assistance to the woman, but it was difficult, and she died before the rescue mission could be accomplished. The victim spent more than an hour under the bus,” said Mr Chisvo, adding that the delay in freeing her sparked fresh debate over the availability of emergency rescue equipment in the city.
Acting Manicaland police spokesman, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the accident and the arrest of the bus driver, who is now assisting with investigations.
He said the bus had since been impounded as authorities worked to establish what caused it to move without a driver at the controls.
The victim’s body was taken to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem examination.
Her identity was withheld pending notification of her next of kin.
