Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
SCORES of Zimbabweans travelling to South Africa in a cross-border bus narrowly escaped death when the bus was involved in a pile-up accident with a truck and a light motor vehicle, 11km from Makhado town in Limpopo Province on Tuesday morning along the N1 Highway.
Spokesperson for the Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety, Mr Matome Taueatsoala, said the bus driver was seriously injured in the crash and was taken to hospital.
“We are confirming that the Exo bus travelling from Zimbabwe to Gauteng was involved in the accident near Makhado and only the bus driver who was injured was taken to hospital,” said Mr Taueatsoala.
“The rest of the passengers escaped unhurt and they have found alternative transport to Gauteng.
“The serious accident occurred on the N1 North at the Witvlag turn-off involving a tanker, a cross-border bus and a hatchback vehicle.”
He said the road was currently closed following the crash and advised motorists to switch on headlights, reduce speed and drive with extreme caution due to misty and rainy conditions in the area.
Mr Taueatsoala also said those planning to travel between Louis Trichardt and Musina should consider delaying their trips, as there was severe traffic congestion in both northbound and southbound directions.
He said an alternative route was available, with motorists travelling from Musina advised to turn right onto the R523 until Siloam, then turn right to the N1 Witvlag.
“Those travelling from Makhado towards Musina should turn right to Witvlag until the side junction R523, turn left until N1 Willispoort. We’ll provide more updates as we get them,” he said.
The incident comes a few weeks after another Zimbabwean cross-border bus plunged into a cliff outside Makhado, killing 44 people, among them 36 Zimbabweans and eight Malawians.
A total of 49 passengers were injured in the incident, with some still hospitalised across Limpopo Province.
The bus, which was en route from Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape to Harare, was also overloaded, carrying 91 passengers despite having a seating capacity of only 62.
