adminMatabeleland North provincial police spokesperson Inspector Billie Dube confirmed the accident, which occurred at about 1am and said 32 passengers were injured, four of them seriously.
He said the bus was heading for Victoria Falls en route to Zambia adding that the driver of the bus, who survived the accident, was allegedly speeding and failed to negotiate a curve resulting in the bus overturning and landing on its left side.
“I can confirm that four Zambians died on the spot while 32 others were injured, four of them seriously when a bus from Zambia, which was being driven by Mr Manasa Phiri failed to negotiate a curve and veered off the road before overturning and landing on its left side.
“The major cause of the accident was speeding and overloading of goods in the trailer,” he said.
Insp Dube said police from Lupane attended the scene and the injured passengers were taken to St Luke’s Hospital while the other four seriously injured passengers were referred to Mpilo Central Hospital.
“Four of the injured, who were in a serious condition, were taken to Mpilo Central Hospital where they are admitted.
“The bodies of the now deceased were also taken to St Luke’s Hospital mortuary,” he said.
Insp Dube said they were still to notify the now deceased’s next of kin.
Insp Dube appealed to drivers to exercise extreme caution when travelling especially at night.
“Now that we are approaching the festive season, drivers should avoid speeding and also avoid over loading because in this case, the trailer was overloaded resulting in the driver failing to control the bus.
“At the same time, the rains are upon us and the roads are slippery and therefore there is a need to exercise caution on the roads,” he said.
Sidumisile Mabena