Chronicle Editor
Thupeyo muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
THREE Government ministers yesterday joined mourners at a mass send-off for the 25 people who tragically lost their lives in a head-on collision between a bus and a lorry on the Beitbridge-Masvingo road last Thursday.
Local Government and Public Works Minister, Daniel Garwe, his Transport and Infrastructural Development counterpart, Felix Mhona, and Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, also visited the site of the bus accident and survivors receiving treatment at Beitbridge District Hospital.
The memorial services were held at Doves Funeral Services parlour, where scores of relatives and residents gathered. A sombre atmosphere enveloped the parlour as the community mourned the horrific crash.
Minister Garwe, who also oversees civil protection matters, said the Government was deeply saddened by the crash and pledged support for the bereaved families.
“We express our condolences and we will do everything necessary to assist the bereaved families so that they may bury their departed relatives. We are here with a message from President Mnangagwa about his deepest sorrow over the loss of lives by fellow Zimbabweans.
“So far, as the ministry in charge of civil protection matters, we have written to the President requesting that he declares this accident a state of disaster. Feedback will come in due course,” he said.
He said families had been assisted with coffins, burial documentation, food, and transportation of the deceased from Beitbridge to various burial sites. The minister said it was saddening that most families had lost breadwinners and young people.
“The eldest among the deceased was around 56 years old and many were below 30. This is quite sad for us as a nation,” he said.
Minister Mhona said he had directed all enforcement departments under his ministry to conduct a full investigation into the accident and take appropriate action.
“We are investigating the circumstances surrounding this tragedy, and necessary measures will be taken to prevent such incidents in the future. We are grieving and we want to thank our great leader President, Cde Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, who is also grieved and has stated in his statement that as authorities we must take action.
“So together with other enforcers, we don’t take this lightly and we can’t continue to tolerate lawlessness on our roads. I have tasked the road motor transportation department to take charge and make sure that we get to the bottom of this accident and we will not focus on this incident alone.”
He said that through various government agencies, the Ministry of Transport would continue to educate motorists and road users on the importance of adhering to road rules and regulations. The minister also commended the Beitbridge community for their assistance during the accident, ferrying victims to the hospital and offering support to survivors and medical staff at Beitbridge District Hospital.
Dr Ndlovu said Matabeleland South was in deep mourning. She wished the injured a speedy recovery and assured them that her office would visit those receiving treatment at Gwanda and United Bulawayo Hospitals.
President Mnangagwa expressed his condolences and announced that the deceased would receive State-assisted funerals.
Zimbabwe Passengers Transport Organisation (ZPTO) chairman, Dr Samson Nhanhanga, offered condolences and called on public transport operators to address speeding. He also donated US$11 000 to the Government to assist with 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 would cover medical and funeral expenses for all passengers, while the Traffic Safety Council has provided hampers to those hospitalised.
The local business community, including the mayor of Beitbridge, Councillor Peter Pirato Mafuta, have donated fuel, ambulances, and other consumables.
Beitbridge district medical officer, Dr Lenos Samhere, said they currently had 29 patients at the hospital.
“We have 15 in the female ward and 14 in the male ward. Those who were in critical condition were transferred to Gwanda Provincial Hospital and United Bulawayo Hospitals,” he said.
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