Online Reporter
George Maponga
Masvingo Bureau
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has extended his condolences to the families of eight people who died in a bus crash near Mutendi Complex along the Masvingo-Mutare highway on Saturday.
Eight people died on the spot, including the driver, while four others were injured after a Dragon bus side-swiped a timber-laden lorry around 2am.
The bus was bound for Mutare coming from Beitbridge with 20 passengers on board.
According to a police preliminary report, the crash occurred after the driver attempted to overtake and encroached into the lorry’s lane upon noticing there was an oncoming vehicle.
This resulted in the fatal crash. Four people who were injured are recuperating at Masvingo General Hospital.
President Mnangagwa yesterday delegated Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira to extend his condolences to the bereaved families after Government extended State assistance to enable the burial of the crash victims.
Speaking to the mourners at Doves Funeral parlour where relatives were collecting some of the bodies for burial, Minister Chadzamira said the President was deeply saddened by the continued loss of life owing to road carnage.
“I have been sent by the President to extend his deep condolences following the loss of your loved ones in yet another bus crash that came after another bloody accident. The President is deeply saddened by the continued loss of life on our roads and that is why all the deceased have been granted State assistance. The State provided coffins, transport to ferry the bodies for burial and other assistance so that we assuage your pain during this difficult time,’’ said Minister Chadzamira.
“I also want to say to you all, the grieving families, that death is a reality of life that is difficult to bear, that is why the whole nation, from the President, is coming together to console you after this tragic accident that cost lives, some of whom were breadwinners for their families.’’
Minister Chadzamira, who was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary in his office, Dr Addmore Pazvakavambwa, also had a word for drivers, reminding them of the importance of respecting human life.
“I also want to implore, for the umpteenth time, our drivers on the roads to always exercise caution in the knowledge that they are carrying precious human life. It is painful that as a nation we continue to unnecessarily lose human life through accidents on our roads, some of which are due to negligence and human error, which can be avoided.’’
The Minister lamented that it was disheartening that more people continued to die in road accidents at a time when President Mnangagwa was rallying everyone to put hands on the deck and drive Zimbabwe into an upper middle-income economy by 2030.
He urged drivers to always observe road rules and regulations to stem the carnage, advising them to also rest when under the weight of fatigue.
Mrs Memory Manyaya of Nerupiri in Gutu, who lost a relative in the accident, paid homage to President Mnangagwa for commiserating with relatives of the deceased.
“I want to thank the President from the bottom of my heart for making our burden bearable by the assistance that has been granted to families of all those who lost their loved ones. We are mourning the loss our loved ones, but the support from the President and his words of comfort during this difficult time make us feel that we are not alone,’’ she said.
“I also want to thank Minister Chadzamira for making time off his busy schedule just to come here at Doves Funeral parlour and be with us, it means a lot, and we are indeed grateful that we have a caring leadership.’’
Peter Tanyanyiwa