admintravelling in plunged down hill and landed on a stream bank.
Mashonaland Central deputy police spokesper-son Assistant Inspector Petros Masikati confirmed the incident.
“The mourners were coming from burying their relative in Muzarabani and when they approached Mhene School, the driver of the lorry lost control of the vehicle possibly due to brake failure and plunged downhill for about 200 metres.
“The 52 passengers were thrown out of the moving vehicle and nine of them died on the spot,” he said.
Asst Insp Masikati said the injured were ferried to St Albert’s Mission Hospital while the critically injured were believed to have been ferried to Parirenyatwa and Harare Hospitals.
Acting Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Minister Didymus Mutasa yesterday sent condolence messages to the bereaved families.
He said Government would assist each of the bereaved families with US$370 to cover funeral expenses. He appealed to motorists to embrace behavioural change to enhance road safety and minimise loss life on the country’s roads.
Bongani Ndlovu