Chronicle Editor
Bongani Ndlovu, Online Reporter
GOVERNMENT has suspended the licence of Urban Connect Holdings (Pvt) Limited for six months after its bus killed 25 people in a head on collision with a haulage truck last Thursday along the Beitbridge-Masvingo highway.
This suspension means the company’s fleet of buses will be unable to operate for the duration of the period.
LAst week, Zimbabwe awoke to the tragic news that 24 people had died following a head-on collision between an Urban Connect bus and an Auro Transport haulage truck at Lutumba tollgate, about 25 km out of Beitbridge Town.
The horrific accident occurred at around 7am along the Beitbridge- Masvingo highway. Seventeen people died on the spot, while seven others died upon admission to the Beitbridge District Hospital, while the other died days later.
In a statement on Wednesday, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Felix Mhona, said the bus involved in the accident lacked a valid Passenger Insurance Policy and route permit while the driver was non-compliant with retest requirements.
“Informed by the foregoing violations, I have directed the Commissioner of Road Motor Transportation to invoke provisions of Section 17(b)(i) of the Road Motor Transportation Act [Chapter 13:15] and suspend, with immediate effect, Urban Connect (Pvt) Ltd from operating all its omnibuses in all the routes for a period of six months as we further investigate,” he said.
“Pursuant to the fatal accident, which occurred on 13 February 2025 at the 263km peg along the Masvingo-Beitbridge Road, which claimed 25 lives and caused serious injuries to many passengers, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has established that Urban Connect Holdings Pvt Ltd was not compliant with the country’s regulations on road traffic and safety management.”
The bus, registration number AGL2474, belonging to this company, did not have a valid Passenger Insurance Policy as prescribed under Section 38(b)(1) of the Road Traffic Act [Chapter 13:11], reads the statement.
“In addition, the vehicle did not have a valid Route Permit as prescribed in Section 12 of the Road Motor Transportation Act [Chapter 13:15]. Similarly, our inference is that the driver of this bus was not compliant with the Re-Test requirement prescribed under Section 5 of Statutory Instrument 168 of 2006,” said Minister Mhona.
“The above violations by the bus operator are a serious breach of the terms and conditions of the operator’s licence issued to the company for it to operate in Zimbabwe.”
The Minister expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and said the Government mourns with the rest of the country.
“We mourn the demise of innocent men and women, most of whom were breadwinners who perished in this crash. Our thoughts are with all the families of the people who were killed in the crash, and our prayers are with those injured as they continue to receive treatment and care. We wish them a speedy recuperation,” said Minister Mhona.
In light of the ongoing road fatalities, he said he has taken a bold stance to reduce road carnage as the Minister responsible for enforcing road traffic laws and safety regulations.
“Going forward, we shall build on this momentum of strict enforcement of road motor transportation and safety regulations for the safety and well-being of the people,” said the Minister.
Online Reporter