Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba-Senior Reporter
Ten people were killed yesterday morning after a bus carrying 36 passengers collided head-on with a haulage truck along the Gokwe–Kwekwe Road.
The fatal accident occurred at around 5am at the 110km peg towards Kwekwe when the bus allegedly attempted to overtake another vehicle before crashing into the oncoming truck.
The latest crash brings the number of people killed in road traffic accidents over the past five days to 24, following the deaths of eight pilgrims in Hwange and six other people near Redcliff.
Giving details, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said: “A Trip-Trans bus with 36 passengers tried to overtake and collided with a haulage truck. More details will be released in due course,” he said.
The latest tragedy comes amid growing concern over a surge in fatal road traffic accidents across the country in recent days.
Last Saturday, a fatal crash at Deka Bridge in Hwange killed eight Roman Catholic congregants after a Toyota Noah they were travelling in plunged into the Deka River while crossing the bridge.
The vehicle was carrying 13 congregants returning from an all-night prayer vigil when the accident occurred at around 7am along Deka Road near Hwange.
Police said the vehicle reportedly lost control before becoming submerged in the river.
Five survivors were rescued and taken to Hwange Colliery Hospital for treatment.
President Mnangagwa has since declared the Deka Bridge accident a State of Disaster in terms of the Civil Protection Act.
The declaration enables Government to mobilise resources to assist affected families, facilitate funeral assistance for the deceased and provide medical support to injured survivors.
On Monday, six people died after a Honda Fit collided with a haulage truck at the 223km peg along the Harare–Bulawayo Road near the Redcliff turn-off at around 5:45pm.
The latest accidents have once again raised concern over road safety, reckless overtaking and the increasing loss of lives on the country’s roads.
