Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
On Thursday yet another major bus accident killed 25 people when an Urban Connect intercity bus and an Auro Transport commercial truck collided head-on 21km north of Beitbridge Town.
The accident occurred just before the Lutumba tollgate along the Beitbridge-Masvingo Road, where 17 people died on the spot, with another eight dying upon admission to hospital. Another 40 passengers sustained injuries with 10 of them regarded as critically injured.
The incident occurred at around 7am after the south-bound bus, reportedly while overtaking another vehicle, collided with the northbound truck carrying 34 tonnes of magnesium and heading to Chirundu.
The bus had 65 people while the truck had three people including the driver.
According to the Beitbridge District Medical Officer, Dr Lenos Samhere, a total of 17 passengers died on the spot while eight others who had sustained head injuries died upon admission at the Beitbridge District Hospital.
He said 10 of the injured were in critical condition and were taken to Gwanda and United Bulawayo hospitals.
“We have transferred 10 who were critical to Gwanda provincial hospital,” said Dr Samhere.
The injured were rescued by motorists passing through the accident scene, the police and other stakeholders working together with the local Civil Protection Committee.
Survivors said they had been sleeping only to wake up on the tarmac and at the hospital.
“I was awoken by the large bang and I saw a lot of bodies lying on the road,” said Tinashe Chingono from Chitungwiza. “I was thrown out of the bus through the front side during the impact and became very scared and in a few moments. I passed out for a few minutes and then saw a lot of bodies on the tarmac covered in blood.
“After a few minutes we were rushed to the hospital where medical staff attended to me and the other injured passengers. The service here is excellent.”
Ms Tambudzai Mugasa said she was frightened as she noticed the bus was about to collide with the truck.
“I just stared at death haplessly and put everything to God when I noticed that the bus was about to collide with the truck,” she said. “I couldn’t believe my eyes. The next thing I found myself outside the bus next to several bodies.”
A customs clearing agent from Beitbridge, Mr Washington Musemwa, who was injured on the neck, said he watched helplessly as the bus headed for the collision with the truck.
Mr Musemwa said after the collision he woke up after almost 30 minutes and saw bodies around.
“I saw some rescue workers retrieving from the wreckage those who were still crying for help. The first thing I did was to look for my bag. After locating it, I walked to one of the vehicles that was carrying the injured passengers on my own and was later taken to this hospital,” he said.
“When I noticed the bus was about to collide with the truck, I jumped out through the window and sustained some injuries on the left side of my face,” said Mr Tapiwa Mambaya. “I landed on the ground with my right hand and lay there for a few minutes before some Good Samaritans took me to an ambulance.
“The first thing after getting composure was to check if I still had my wallet and phone. My head was covered in blood and I then called my brother to inform him about the accident,” said Mr Mambaya.
A passenger who preferred anonymity said she became terrified when she saw some bodies on the tarmac and upon seeing the rescuers pulling out some passengers from the bus.
One of the first people to attend the scene, Mr Thomas Nhundu of Great Hope Funeral Parlour who was also driving towards Beitbridge said he and together with community members living close to the highway retrieved some of the injured from the bus.
“The bus had just overtaken us and when we arrived there were bodies all over the tarmac,” said Mr Nhundu.
Another witness, Mr Leonard Wanderson, a resident of Tshapfutshe said he rushed to the scene after hearing a loud bang near the toll gate.
“I had seen the bus passing through our business centre when suddenly I heard a loud bang and I rushed here. We then together with other community members started rescuing those who were injured and covering the bodies with blankets and some clothes which had been thrown all over the scene,” he said.
Mr Wanderson, said most of the passengers sitting in the front seats were thrown on the tarmac during the collision.
In a statement, Urban Connect bus company expressed their condolences to the grieving families and the nation pledging compassionate assistance of US$500 to each grieving family.
“As Urban Connect, we want to express our heartfelt condolences to families and relatives of our fellow Zimbabweans who passed on in the bus accident on Thursday February 13, 2025 near the Lutumba Tollgate along the Masvingo Beitbridge Highway. We wish a speedy recovery to those injured,” said the company.
“We will offer compassionate assistance to relatives of the departed and we have started rendering assistance to the injured. In addition, we pledge to cooperate with authorities in investigations into this accident”.
Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development Cde Felix Mhona, and Local Government and Public Works Minister Cde Daniel Garwe yesterday visited the accident scene, the survivors in hospital and attended a memorial service held for the departed souls at Doves Funeral Parlour.
Zimbabwe Passengers Transport Organisation chairman, Dr Samson Nhanhanga passed his condolences to the grieving families and called on public transport operators to address the issues of speeding by drivers.
He also delivered US$11 000 to the Government to assist with the burials.
“Speed has become our worst enemy. We continue urging our drivers to adhere to good road driving ethics,” he said.
The Insurance Council of Zimbabwe said it will cover medical and funeral expenses of all the passengers, while the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe has given an assortment of hampers to those hospitalised.
