admin
Freeman Razemba Senior Reporter
DNA tests for the eight Anglican Diocese of Manicaland pilgrims who died when a Pashon Link bus they were travelling in caught fire last month have been conducted and police have released the names of the deceased.
The day after the incident, the operating licence of Pashon Link Coaches was cancelled by Government. The pilgrims were returning from their shrine at Bernard Mizeki in Marondera.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the developments.
“Reference is made to the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s post on the X platform and press statement released on June 17, 2024 concerning a fatal road traffic accident which occurred at the 26km peg along Nyabadza-Gandanza Road on June 16, 2024 at around 1900 hours.
“DNA analysis for the eight bodies was carried out at National University of Science and Technology and the victims were identified,” he said.
They are Charity Nyamapfeni, Annie Miti, Gladys Sarutani Gumiro, Viola Nyambabvu, Winnie Chiremba, Agnes Miti, Margaret Mupangabure and Bradley Mukwane.
“Relatives of the victims are urged to get in touch with ZRP Rusape Traffic for full information. The Zimbabwe Republic Police implores drivers and bus owners to be safety conscious to safeguard human lives on the roads,” Comm Nyathi said. The bus had 66 passengers on board when it caught fire and 58 managed to escape, while eight were presumed dead.
The accident occurred on a Sunday at around 8pm near Gandanzara Business Centre, about 44km along the Nyabadza-Gandanzara Road.
The pilgrims were returning to their rural homes in Sherukuru in Mutasa District. Currently six victims are hospitalised, two of them with severe burns.
The bus experienced several mechanical faults along the way, including a faulty clutch, and on approaching the 26km peg along the road, passengers noticed smoke coming out of the engine and alerted the driver, Ray Donald Mugari (40), who promptly stopped to investigate the source of the smoke.
Mugari allegedly opened the engine cover inside the bus near the passengers’ door and immediately a ball of fire engulfed the whole bus.
Mugari and 57 other passengers escaped from the burning bus through the door and emergency exit windows, while eight people were trapped inside and were burnt to death.
Meanwhile, police have also confirmed another fatal road traffic accident in which two people were killed, while four others were injured at the 77km peg along Karoi-Binga Road on Tuesday at around 10.30am.
A Mazda Titan vehicle that was loaded with 14 bales of tobacco and seven passengers on board veered off the road to the left before overturning and landing on its roof.
Five of the seven passengers were on top of tobacco bales.
Online Reporter